Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has suggested France increase official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam and boost bilateral relations, especially in defence and security.

At a reception for visiting French Minister of Labour Michel Sapin in Hanoi on October 26, the PM thanked France for its ODA to Vietnam in vocational training.

He expressed his wish that the French Government will join Vietnam’s efforts in developing bilateral cooperation, especially in economics, trade, investment, education and training, science and technology.

The two sides should cooperate in organising activities to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of Vietnam-France diplomatic ties in 2013 as well as strengthen coordination at international forums, he said.

Dung took the occasion to extend his invitation to French President Francois Hollande to visit Vietnam next year.

Sapin, who is in Vietnam to attend the 4 th ASEM Labour and Employment Ministers’ Conference, affirmed that the French Government wants to promote cooperation with Vietnam in all aspects./.VNA