Australia’s Assistance of A$119.8 Million to Vietnam for 2010-2011

The Australian Government will provide an estimated A$119.8 million (approximately VND1,500 billion) in development assistance to Vietnam in the July 2010 to June 2011 period. 

 

Australia’s commitment to Vietnam underscores a long running contribution to Vietnam’s development aspirations and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Australian aid will assist Vietnam’s objectives to improve human resources, infrastructure and institutional development. 

 

Australian scholarships are a high priority for the program and will continue to scale-up to meet Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s commitment to provide 225 post-graduate scholarships per year. The Australian Government will likely provide more than 50 additional scholarships under other programs, bringing the projected total to more than 275. 

 

Through ongoing infrastructure initiatives, Australia will provide A$32.6 million to support major transport projects and regional road building to connect poor rural areas to key regional transport and economic corridors.  

 

Australia’s support will focus on contributions for the development of the Central Mekong Delta Connectivity Project, in particular the design of the Cao Lanh Bridge, which will deliver significant economic and social benefits by improving transport access for residents in the densely populated central Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. 

 

On institutional reform, the aid budget will fund ongoing support for phase 2 of Beyond WTO, an important program which will help Vietnam’s effective integration into the world’s economy.