At a reception for NZ Ambassador Heather Mhairi Riddell, President Triet expressed elation at the growing ties between Vietnam and New Zealand in recent times. He said the two countries have established a framework for cooperation, increased the exchange of visits at all levels and raised their annual trade ties. 

Vietnam wants to strengthen cooperative ties with New Zealand to a new level, said Mr Triet.  
He also stressed that the upcoming visit to New Zealand by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh is expected to open up a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations.

He conveyed his invitation to Governor Anand Satyanand and PM John Phillip Key to visit Vietnam next year to mark the 35^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

For his part, ambassador Riddell said he hopes that Mr Manh’s upcoming visit will help elevate the New Zealand-Vietnam relations to a comprehensive partnership.

He affirmed that New Zealand attaches great importance to increasing cooperative ties with Vietnam and expressed his hope that Vietnam will support NZ bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2015-2016 term.

Receiving Norwegian Ambassador Stale Torstein Risa, President Triet said Vietnam wants to expand cooperation with the North European nation. He said the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing to re-open an embassy in the capital city of Oslo later this year. He also thanked the Norwegian government for providing ODA to Vietnam’s socio-economic development.

Ambassador Torstein Risa affirmed that Norway wants to become Vietnam’s key partner and promote cooperation in areas with the country for the sake of its long-term development. He said President Triet’s state-level visit to Norway in June 2008 gave fresh impetus to bilateral ties.