Four Vietnamese outstanding individuals yesterday were given the New Zealand – ASEAN Award for their contribution to boost friendship and co-operation between Viet Nam and New Zealand as well as ASEAN and New Zealand.

The four individuals include Ton Nu Thi Ninh, one of the honorary advisers of the Asia New Zealand Foundation; Mai Kieu Lien, chairwoman and CEO of the Viet Nam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company; Tran Duc Lam, CEO of Tran Duc Homes; and Nguyen Xuan Vang, head of the Ministry of Education and Training's International Co-operation Department.

Speaking at the award ceremony, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said that by giving the award, New Zealand wanted to thank the four individuals for their contributions to the relationship between the two countries and New Zealand with ASEAN.

Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee President Nguyen Thien Nhan said the Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's official visit to New Zealand in March this year was an important step to help the two countries develop strategic partnership in the coming years. 

VNS