Australia is willing to support Vietnam in the spirit of mutual development and keen to share issues of common concern. Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Brett Mason and Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh (R) Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Brett Mason told Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh at an October 19 meeting in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap. Ninh thanked the Australian Government and its people for their contributions and support for Vietnam’s growth over the past 20 years. Despite economic difficulties, Australia still maintains year-on-year higher official development (ODA) provision for Vietnam. Ninh said he hopes Australia will continue to help Vietnam cope with climate change and sea level rise, build transport and economic connectivity projects in the Mekong Delta region and implement public-private partnership (PPP) model. Host and guest also discussed economic restructuring together with the growth model that is underway in Vietnam. Earlier on the same day, Ninh and Brett attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Cao Lanh bridge funded by a non-refundable aid from the Australian Government, and a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). They agreed that construction of the Cao Lanh bridge represents a new symbol for Vietnam and Australia ties. VOV