The Australian PM published the statement on his website on September 4 prior to an official visit to his country by Nong Duc Manh, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

“We enjoy a strong bilateral relationship and cooperate closely on the regional and international challenges we face, including counter-narcotics and combating people smuggling and trafficking in persons,” said Mr Rudd.

He said both countries work closely in regional forums, including the East Asia Summit and APEC, and have a shared interest in building a stable and prosperous region.

He said he considers Vietnam as one of Australia's most dynamic trading partners in Southeast Asia, with two-way trade growing an average of 20 percent per year over the last five years to reach $8 billion in 2008. Australian businesses poured more than $500 million into Vietnam last year.

The PM concluded that Mr Manh’s visit will be an opportunity for the two countries to discuss measures to take their relationship to new heights.