John McAnulty, Australian General Consul addresses the meeting in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Hanoimoi)

(VOVworld)- The People’s Committee and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations of Ho Chi Minh City held a meeting on Wednesday to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Australia. In his address, the city’s Vice Mayor Hua Ngoc Thuan said Australia is one of Vietnam’s major development partners and has assisted Vietnam in infrastructure development and poverty reduction. My Thuan bridge and Cao Lanh bridge were glowing symbols of this bilateral friendship. Thuan said that Ho Chi Minh City and localities in Australia have developed bilateral cooperation in several different areas. By February of this year, Australia had 111 projects worth 160 million USD operating in Ho Chi Minh City. John McAnulty, Australian General Consul in Ho Chi Minh City stressed that Vietnam was one of Australia’s most important partners in the region. He also highlighted the potential opportunities for furthering bilateral ties.