President Sang highly appreciated active assistance from the Canadian government and people to Viet Nam in its national reconstruction after the war as well as during the current period of national development and international integration, particularly the maintenance of official development assistance (ODA) to help Viet Nam carry out socio-economic projects.

He affirmed that Viet Nam attaches importance to relations with Canada and expressed his belief that the two countries would enhance cooperation in the years to come.

Governor General David Johnston affirmed that Canada wants to strengthen relations with Viet Nam in all fields and highly values Viet Nam ’s increasing role in the region and the world.

The two leaders highly valued the development of relations between the two countries in recent years, especially in trade, investment, development cooperation, education and training.

Despite global economic slowdown, two-way trade turnover between the two countries exceeded 1.4 billion USD in 2010. Canada now ranks 13 th among foreign investors in Viet Nam .

The two sides informed each other about the situation in each country, exchanged views on international issues of mutual concern and discussed measures to boost the longlasting, stable and comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

On the evening of Nov. 16, President Sang hosted a banquet for the Canadian Governor General at the Government Guest House.

During his trip until Nov. 19, Governor General David Johnston and his entourage are scheduled to meet National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and visit Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Tra Vinh and Soc Trang in the south to inspect projects sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)./.