The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony to mark the 227th anniversary of Australia’s Independence Day (January 26, 1788) in the city on January 23.

Chairman of the association Luong Van Ly said despite geographical distance and cultural and historical differences, Vietnam and Australia boast a close relationship based on mutual interest and respect, jointly developing in peace and prosperity.

Since the two countries established bilateral diplomatic ties over four decades ago, with many historical ups and downs, the friendship between their people has been continuously consolidated and enhanced.

With a comprehensive strategic partnership set up in September 2009, the relationship has developed widely and deeply in all realms, he noted.

Ly also hailed the great contributions by the Vietnamese and Australian communities in respective countries to the development of multi-faceted bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of politics, economy and culture.

He affirmed that together with the whole nation, Ho Chi Minh City wishes to further tighten the solidarity between the two peoples.

For his part, Australian Consul General to HCM City John McAnulty said Australia and Vietnam have enjoyed close relationship over the past 40 years in various fields, ranging from education, development support, trade and investment to border security, defence, cross-border crime prevention and human right.

Australia is also a leading destination for Vietnamese students who now number 25,000, he said, adding another 16,000 are studying Australian programmes in Vietnam.

Vietnam is currently one of the top partners of Australia in the Asia-Pacific region and the latter is doing its utmost to help the former build necessary infrastructure for development, he added.-VNA