Air Force One carrying Biden and his entourage arrived at 4 p.m. as he began a two-day official visit to Vietnam.
This is Biden's first visit since taking office in early 2021. The trip comes at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their establishment of a Comprehensive Partnership.
Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh
Biden, wearing a dark blue suit and sun glasses, stepped down the stairs of the aircraft. He received a bouquet from a girl school student.
Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh
Accompanying Biden were Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink.
Among those receiving them were members of the Central Party Committee and head of the Central Foreign Affairs Committee, Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, chairman of the Hanoi People's Council, Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, Vietnamese ambassador to the U.S., Nguyen Quoc Dung, and head of the Directorate of State Protocol, Nguyen Viet Dung.
Also present were U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, Marc E. Knapper (pictured), and other officials and employees from the U.S. embassy.
Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh
Following ceremonial procedures and exchanges with Knapper, Biden and his delegation traveled to the Presidential Palace to attend the official reception.
At 4:30 p.m. the motorcade carrying Biden and his delegation crossed Nhat Tan Bridge and headed toward downtown Hanoi. It included traffic police motorbikes and numerous cars.
In the picture above, the car is seen on Kim Ma Street.
Photo by VnExpress/Pham Du
After a 25-minute drive the car arrived at the Presidential Palace where Trong hosted the highest national welcoming protocol for Biden.
Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh
Vietnam and the U.S. announced the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.
"For the benefit of the two peoples and the desire to strengthen cooperation for the goals of peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the new context, Vietnam welcomes the two countries establishing relations at a new level: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development," Trong said.
Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy
President Biden expressed joy at visiting Vietnam and appreciated the warm welcome he was given. He said his visit has historical significance not only bilaterally, but also for the Indo-Pacific region and the world, and underlined his country's support for an "open, stable, secure, connected, and prosperous region."
He emphasized the importance of Vietnam's role and position in the region, appreciating its active role in many regional and global issues, including responding to climate change.
He expressed support for Vietnam's development, economic and scientific-technological cooperation between the two countries, and clean energy development.
He said upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership would benefit both countries and common international interests.
Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy
Biden at the press conference in Hanoi on Sunday evening.
On Monday Biden is set to meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The two leaders will then attend the Vietnam – U.S. Summit on Innovation and Investment.
Biden will also be welcomed by President Vo Van Thuong at a luncheon.
Photo by VnExpress/Huy Thanh
Biden's convoy moves to Marriott hotel in Nam Tu Liem District on Sunday night. Video by VnExpress/Vo Hai
