Vietnam should run for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told his host Nguyen Tan Dung at a meeting Monday.

The suggestion was made as the prime ministers of both nations held talks in Hanoi during Key's official visit on July 10-12 to the country at Dung's invitation.

The two leaders agreed to improve bilateral cooperation in various fields like national defense, economics and technology.

New Zealand will provide  NZD10 million NZD (US$7.1 million) in aid to Vietnam during the 2010-2011 fiscal year, Key said.

The New Zealand premier also met with Vietnam's President Nguyen Minh Triet and Politburo member Truong Tan Sang during his visit.