Australian Foreign Minister to visit Vietnam

Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop will pay an official visit to Vietnam from February 17-19 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Economic ties between Vietnam and Australia have grown and flourished over the years, with two-way trade rising from AUD3.3 billion in 2009 to AUD6 billion in 2013.

Australia’s official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam increased from AUD105.9 million to nearly AUD160 million in the reviewed period. A typical Australian-funded project, Cao Lanh bridge in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, got off the ground in late 2013.

At a recent meeting with outgoing Vietnamese ambassador Hoang Vinh Thanh, Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce said both sides need to create more favourable conditions for their business communities to boost investment cooperation.