HÀ NỘI Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has lauded outgoing Australian Ambassador Craig Chittick for contributions during his three-year tenure in Việt Nam with two-way trade up by nearly 17 per cent each year. 
During a reception in Hà Nội on Tuesday, the PM said the ambassador had actively pushed forward bilateral ties in diverse areas, not only in politics, diplomacy, economy, national defence-security but also e-Government and personnel training. 
He wished that both sides would continue working closely together at multilateral forums. 
The host also spoke highly of Australia’s provision of official development assistance (ODA) for Việt Nam, saying that it had been used effectively across the country, contributing to national development. 
According to him, both sides need to take practical steps to further facilitate bilateral trade and investment, tap multilateral agreements to which they are members, particularly within the framework of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and continue enhancing education ties and people-to-people exchange, especially among young generations.
He hoped that Australia will continue providing ODA for Việt Nam, especially in key areas. 
He conveyed his invitation to Australian PM to visit Việt Nam to discuss measures to further deepen bilateral ties. 
Chittick said he visited 35 cities and provinces during his tenure and was proud to partly contribute to Việt Nam’s success. 
He added that Australian PM Scott Morrison told him that he believed in bilateral partnership and wanted to make a hallmark for it. 
About ODA supply, the guest said Australia would make adjustments to assist Việt Nam in e-Government building and personnel training in the near future. VNS