The government of the northern Australia territory hopes for closer ties with Vietnam in the coming time, especially in construction, investment, oil and gas exploration, education-training and agriculture.

Northern territory Chief Minister Adam Giles expressed the wish during a meeting with Vietnamese General Consul in Perth Le Viet Duyet, who made a working trip to the region from August 19-23.

The Chief Minister also hopes for stronger ties between the twin localities of northern Australia territory and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province of Vietnam, adding he wants to visit Vietnam in the near future.

During his visit to the territory to strengthen economic and trade cooperation and promote Vietnam’s culture during the year the two countries celebrate the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, Duyet also met with a number of local officials and leaders of relevant branches and agencies. In all the meetings, the hosts expressed their desire to further boost cooperation with Vietnam as part of the territory’s strategy to deepen relations with Asia.

On the occasion of the annual traditional festival of Darwin city, the Vietnamese General Consulate organised several activities in response to the event, including a painting exhibition and film screening as well as a meeting to celebrate the Vietnamese National Day (Sept. 2) and the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties.

Minister of Multicultural Affairs Peter Styles spoke highly of Vietnam’s contributions to the festival, saying he hopes that more Vietnamese cultural activities will take place in the northern territory in the future.

Meanwhile, Darwin city’s Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim said she will consider the establishment of twinning relations between Darwin and Vietnamese Vung Tau city, thus further tightening the twinning relationship between the northern Australia territory and Vietnam’s southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, which was set up in 2007.-VNA