Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and his delegation left Sydney for New Zealand on Sept. 9, successfully ending his three-day visit to Australia.

The Vietnamese Party leader cabled a message of thanks to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, expressing his satisfaction with talks, meetings and exchanges with the PM and other Australian high-ranking leaders.

“We do believe that high-level agreements reached between Vietnam and Australia during the visit will create a driving force to heighten the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, for the benefit and prosperity of each country, for peace, sustainability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large,” he wrote in the message.

General Secretary Manh also wished the Australian Government and people to continue to reap more achievements in country’s development.

Earlier, General Secretary Manh received a delegation of the “Hoc Mai” (Forever Learning) Foundation, headed by New South Wales Governor Marie Bashir.

The Party leader highly appreciated projects funded by the foundation in Vietnam which have contributed to supplying qualified human resources for Vietnamese health sector.

He said he hoped the foundation would lend further support to Vietnam as part of the effort to boost the Vietnam-Australia comprehensive partnership.

Established in 2001, “Hoc Mai” is a non-governmental organisation under Sydney University and sponsored by Governor Marie Bashir.

The foundation’s aim is to improve the health sector’s training and health care in Vietnam through assistance programmes.

The foundation has funded several education and community health-related projects in Vietnam and provided scholarships for local medical workers./.