During his talks with Dahinden, PM Dung thanked the Swiss Government and people for their official development assistance (ODA), stressing that Vietnam would use effectively this capital source in prioritised areas such as hunger eradication, poverty reduction, health care, rural development and environmental protection.

Mr Dung expressed hope that the Government of Switzerland would provide more ODA to support Vietnam’s efforts in hunger elimination and poverty reduction in the years to come. He also called upon Switzerland to continue assisting Vietnam in personnel training, rural development and environmental protection.

Dahinden told his host that Switzerland has so far provided around US$300 million in ODA to Vietnam, and plans to give US$25 million each year to the Southeast Asian country in the coming time. He also emphasised the need to step up cooperation and exchanges between ministries, agencies and peoples in order to boost cooperative ties between the two countries

While receiving Thala Muana, PM Dung spoke highly of the ambassador’s contributions to the lifting of bilateral relationship to a new height during his term of office.

The PM said Vietnam wants to join efforts with India to further develop the bilateral relations so as to bring practical benefits to both nations. He congratulated the Government and people of India on the achievements they have reaped in recent years, thus improving the country’s position on the international arena.

PM Dung asked the ambassador to convey his invitation to the Indian PM to pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the ASEAN Summit.