Mr Manh is being accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, head of the Party Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan, Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang and several other officials.

In a statement published on his Website, Australian PM Kevin Rudd said “Vietnam is a highly valued partner for Australia in the Asia-Pacific region”.

He also 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.

VietNamNet/VOV