The statement was made by Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations, Huynh Minh Thien and Australian consul general in HCM City, Graeme Swift, at a meeting to mark the 223^rd Australian National Day (January 26) on January 19.

Thien said Vietnam has been one of Australia’s trading partners with strong growth over the past five years. The economic ties between the two countries will develop further as Vietnam continues to implement economic reform.

Australia provided AUD119.8 million in financial assistance to Vietnam in the fiscal year of 2010-2011.

Mr Graeme Swift said he was very pleased to join in many projects to aid Vietnam, especially in infrastructure, such as transport projects in the Mekong Delta region and improving people’s living conditions.

About 188,000 Vietnamese people are living and more than 24,000 Vietnamese students are currently studying in Australia.