Incoming Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie has said she expects Ho Chi Minh City to be the focus of a strategy to double two-way investment between Australia and Vietnam during talks with local leaders on Tuesday.

At the reception for the new ambassador, Ho Chi Minh City chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong expressed his desire to promote cooperation between the southern Vietnamese metropolis and Australia.

Phong emphasized the good relationship Australia has with Vietnam in general as well as with Ho Chi Minh City in particular, as he hosted Mudie at the City Hall in District 1.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s visit to Vietnam in August has reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two countries, the chairman added.

"However, cooperation remains modest compared to the potential of both sides,” Phong noted.

In the coming time, Ho Chi Minh City aims to become a major economic center of Southeast Asia, with two immediate goals being building a smart city and becoming the nation's financial hub.

Australia can provide assistance in this regard through cooperation in the areas of urban infrastructure development, wastewater treatment, food processing and high-tech agriculture, the chairman said.

Ambassador Mudie confirmed that, in addition to commercial cooperation, Australia is willing to cooperate with Vietnam in the fields of innovative development, innovation and water management.

"At their meeting in August, the two prime ministers agreed to set a goal of doubling the two-way investment and becoming one of the top ten trading partners of each other,” she said.

“I hope this strategy will focus on Ho Chi Minh City as well as the southern provinces of Vietnam.

“I think we can agree that we have a very strong basis for cooperation going forward.

“During my time in Vietnam, I will work with my team to increase cooperation between Australia and Ho Chi Minh City."

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