New South Wales Governor Marie Bashir, during Hoa's courtersy visit on the day, recalled her experiences in Viet Nam, which she said impressed her with the images of a brave, industrious and intelligent people, who have made numerous achievements in national construction.

Bashir said the New South Wales women association had asked her to help foster friendship and cooperation with Viet Nam. The governor also said she personally is working on a project to set up a fund in support of Vietnamese women and children.

Both host and guest expressed satisfaction at the fine development of friendly and cooperative ties between Viet Nam and New South Wales state, especially in education, training and healthcare.

Vice President Hoa highly valued the Governor's involvement in several projects in Viet Nam, especially in human resource development.

Viet Nam and Australia enjoyed a strong development of multi-faceted cooperation over the past 33 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties on Feb. 27, 1973.

A landmark visit in May, 2005 by then Prime Minister Phan Van Khai was marked with a joint statement, in which the two Government leaders pledged to further strengthen and promote friendly and cooperative ties in all fields.

Two-way trade revenues have constantly increased as that of the first seven month of the year reached 2.53 billion USD, representing an increase of almost 51 percent from the same period last year. Australia is Viet Nam's seventh largest trade partner and its forth largest export market.

As of June 30, 2006, Australia poured 674 million USD into 122 projects in Viet Nam. Australian investments focused on processing industry, construction sector, consultancy services, education and training.

Viet Nam is the fourth largest ODA recepient from Autralia, which has committed to 81.5 million AUD (60 million USD) in official development assistance for the 2006-07 fiscal year, an increase of 4.2 million AUD from the previous fiscal year. The aid is allocated to support Viet Nam's efforts in implementing its five year development plan till 2010, priotising agricultural and rural development.

The two countries have signed a number of treaties and agreements of cooperation, including post and telecommunications, economy, trade, investment, aviation, education and medicine.(VNA)