Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith MP will pay an official visit to Vietnam from 29 to 30 August 2012, says the Australian Embassy in Vietnam. During the visit, his second to Hanoi as Defence Minister, Smith is expected to meet with his Vietnamese counterpart, General Phung Quang Thanh and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. He will also visit the National Defence Academy, the Special Forces Officers School and Unit 871, and open an Australian-sponsored English language laboratory at the Military Technical Academy. In recent years, Australia’s cooperation program with Vietnam has expanded considerably to include capacity building for United Nations Peacekeeping missions and Special Forces engagement. This expands on traditional cooperation in officer training and English language training. “I welcome in particular enhanced practical cooperation and training between Australia and Vietnam on peacekeeping,” said Smith, adding that Australia had been pleased to provide training to 80 Vietnamese personnel to assist the Vietnam People’s Army to prepare for possible future UN peacekeeping missions. Australia and Vietnam have boosted naval cooperation, including a program of regular ship visits. HMAS Sydney will visit Vietnam in October. VietNamNet/VOV online