Cooperation in tourism and education between New Zealand and Vietnam should be boosted, Mr McCully told Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong.

The visiting diplomat said that Vietnam is an ideal destination for New Zealand citizens, and New Zealand wants to attract more Vietnamese visitors.

He spoke highly of the Vietnam National Assembly’s role in national development and the exchange of visits between the two countries’ legislative bodies, helping strengthen bilateral cooperative relations.

He said 2010 is a special year for New Zealand and Vietnam, as both countries will celebrate the 35^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. In addition, Vietnam takes over the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2010, starting in January.

The two countries should make full use of this opportunity to increase cooperation, said Mr McCully.

Ms Phong noted with satisfaction the fruitful cooperation between the two countries, whose leaders agreed to establish the Vietnam-New Zealand comprehensive partnership during Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to New Zealand in September 2009.

She welcomed a New Zealand decision to receive 200 Vietnamese guest workers in 2010 and plan to recruit another 100 in 2011.

She thanked New Zealand for ratifying the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Agreement and providing relief aid to natural disasters victims. She said that New Zealand-funded ODA projects on education, agriculture and information technology have helped boost Vietnam’s socio-economic development.

She proposed that the two legislative bodies increase the exchange of delegations to share experiences in legislation.

The same day, Mr McCully was received by Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan, who affirmed that NZ ODA has been used effectively in Vietnam’s education-training, poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Ms Doan thanked New Zealand for recognising Vietnam’s market economy and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese nationals and students to live and study in the country.

She asked both countries to quickly implement their agreements to promote bilateral friendship and cooperation.