Bilateral ties between Vietnam and New Zealand have been growing across sectors in recent years, despite the geographic distance between the two nations.

Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi made the statement at a reception for a visiting delegation from Wellington, New Zealand in Hanoi on February 4.

He noted that coordination between the nations still has untapped potential and called on Wellington to share its experience in urban management and development, education, and response and adaptation to climate change with Hanoi.

Head of the delegation, Wellington Mayor Celia Wabe Brown hailed the bilateral ties between the two countries as well as the two capital cities.

She said Wellington is willing to offer training in the English language, state management for Hanoi authorities, and workforce caliber, among others.

Trade between Vietnam and New Zealand reached 187 million USD in 2001, increasing to 750 USD million USD in 2012 and 723 million USD in 2013.

The figure is expected to reach 1 billion USD by the end of 2015.

Vietnam and New Zealand set up their diplomatic ties June 16, 1975.-VNA