Vietnam is now one of the most important partners of Australia and the two countries’ relations would grow further on the basis of their established close cooperation, Australian Consul General in HCM City John McAnulty has said. At a ceremony to mark the 40 th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties in Ho Chi Minh City on March 27, the Australian diplomat said his nation is cooperating with Vietnam in education, development assistance, trade, investment, border security and trans-national crimes and other fields. Australia is helping Vietnam develop infrastructure, he said, adding that it has committed providing 168 million AUD for the design and building of the Cao Lanh bridge -- its biggest project in the Southeast Asian country. For his part, Vice Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee Hua Ngoc Thuan said the two countries’ relations have seen comprehensive, stable developments with outstanding outcomes made in economic cooperation. Two-way trade between the two countries rose 20 percent annually and exceeded US$5 billion last year, the city’s official said. My Thuan and Cao Lanh bridges demonstrate vivid examples of the two countries’ friendship, he said, adding that the city has set up its sister relationships with Queensland in 2005. By late February, 2013, Australia had 111 valid projects totalling $157.2 million in HCM City. Some Australian universities are partnering with the city in training 500 MA and doctor degree holders.