CANBERRA, May 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai arrived here Thursday morning for a three-day visit to Australia, during which trade, tourism and education will be the major topics.

    Khai was received by Australian Prime Minister John Howard in an official ceremony on the forecourt of Parliament House.

    The two prime ministers then held a private meeting and are expected to hold a joint press conference later in the day.

    Khai is also to meet with Australian Opposition Leader Kim Beazley before attending a lunch at Parliament House hosted by Howard.

    Trade ties between the two countries remain strong with bilateral trade in goods and services standing at 3.7 billion Australian dollars (2.78 billion US dollars) in 2004.

    More than 100,000 Australian tourists visited Vietnam, and more than 4,000 Vietnamese students were enrolled in Australian institutions last year. Enditem