An Air Force One plane carrying US and his entourage touched down at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi at nearly 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

Mr. Biden was welcomed at the airport by Mr. Le Hoai Trung, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, Ha Kim Ngoc, deputy minister of Foreign Affairs and many other Vietnamese officials.  

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and other officials of the US Embassy were also on hand.

Mr. Biden was being accompanied by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and the President’s Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry, and many other officials.

The visit is of great significance as it takes place at a time when Vietnam and the US are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive partnership.

Relations between the two countries have developed strongly through reciprocal visits since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1995.

Notably, five US Presidents have travelled to Vietnam for visits or international meetings. Many senior Vietnamese leaders, including the Party General Secretary, State President, Prime Minister and National Assembly Chairman, have also made working trips to the US.

Bilateral trade has also grown impressively, from just US$451 million in 1995 to more than US$130 billion in 2022. Currently the US is one of Vietnam’s largest trading partners, while Vietnam is the US’ seven largest trading partner.

Cooperation in defense-security, education, and people-to-people exchanges has also been enhanced over the years.

PV