PM Dung made the statement while receiving Chairman Frank H. T. Rhodes and other members of the AP's Board of Directors in Hanoi on March 12.

The Vietnamese Government leader praised the AP's effective aid to Vietnam's public health and education and training projects as well as its plan to fund projects to build hospitals, improve the grass-root health system, and promote health care education.

Despite major socio-economic achievements, Vietnam remains a poor country so the country needs assistance from international organisations, including the AP, said PM Dung.

Vietnam is among seven AP aid recipients, said Chairman Rhodes, saying that the AP has approved a provision of US$213 million for the country’s healthcare and education sectors.

Beneficiaries include the Da Nang Hospital, the Central Paediatrics Hospital and the Community Health University.

The AP will increase its aid to US$3 billion in the next nine years for Vietnam and other recipient countries, said the AP's leader.