Mr Khiem was speaking on October 3 at a reception for DED director general Dr Juergen Wilhelm, who was in Hanoi to attend the DED's Asian regional three-day conference.

The Deputy Prime Minister told the guest that Vietnam has made great strides in science and technology, particularly in mechanics with assistance from the DED.

He said he wishes for a successful conference that will enable the DED to boost its development programme to Vietnam.

Mr Wilhelm expressed his admiration for Vietnam's achievements and for the pace of its science and technology development, compared with what he knew about the country 30 years ago.

He added that this working visit has given him a chance to grasp the operational efficiency  of German organisations in Vietnam in order to strengthen the co-operative relations between the two nations.