(VOVworld) -  Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Allaster Cox on Wednesday announced the Australian Government’s financial support for 13 direct aid projects (DAPs) for northern and central provinces of Vietnam in the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

The Australian Embassy’s DAP funding reached 2.75 billion VND this year, by 9 percent compared to the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The projects will be carried out in nine cities and provinces including Ha Giang, Bac Kan , Hai Duong, Ha Noi, Ha Nam and Nam Dinh. They will focus on generating additional income for low-income communities and providing vocational training and health care for disadvantaged people, including women and children with HIV/AIDS and people in drug rehabilitation.