In the first half of this year, Malaysia invested in 169 projects in HCMC worth US$5.8 billion, making it the biggest foreign investor in the city.

Thuan said the many Malaysian leaders and business delegations have visited the city to seek investment opportunities, adding that the direct air route between HCMC and Malaysia has facilitated bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

In 2011 alone, HCMC welcomed more than 174,000 Malaysian visitors.

Thuan said that education and tourism are potential fields for stronger cooperation between the two countries in the future.

At the meeting, Malaysian Ambassador Dato Azmil Mohd Zabidi said he was very pleased with the fine trade relationship between the two nations after nearly 40 years of diplomatic ties. Bilateral trade has grown steadily, reaching more than US$6.5 billion in 2011 and Malaysia is also one of the leading foreign investors in Vietnam.