14 Apr 2012

Vietnamese deputy PM here for talks

5:37 am on 14 April 2012

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc of Vietnam arrives in New Zealand on Saturday for bilateral and business talks.

Vietnam is a member of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations), which takes a 10th of New Zealand's exports.

Mr Phuc will meet Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, and acting Prime Minister Bill English, as well as other Government ministers.

This is the first visit to New Zealand by Mr Phuc, who is one of four deputy prime ministers.

He will be accompanied by a delegation of ministers and senior officials.

Mr English says they will discuss two-way trade, education and opportunities for further co-operation between the two countries.