US President Joe Biden's two-day state visit to Vietnam in photos

On the afternoon of September 10, US President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. arrived in Hanoi, beginning a state visit to Vietnam from September 10-11 at the invitation of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Immediately after arriving in Hanoi, US President Joe Biden attended an official welcoming ceremony chaired by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the Presidential Palace.

This is the first time a US President has paid a state visit at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and also the first time both the US President and Vice President have visited Vietnam during the same term.

Immediately afterwards, at the Party Central Office, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held talks with US President Joe Biden.

The General Secretary highly appreciated the contents agreed upon between the two countries' leaders on the Joint Statement on elevating Vietnam-US relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

The talks took place in an atmosphere of friendship, equality, understanding, mutual respect, in-depth and comprehensive exchanges and achieved good results. The important results of the talks and the visit of President Joe Biden will contribute positively to the development of the bilateral relationship in the new period for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability and sustainable development.

After the talks, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden spoke to the Vietnamese, US and international press.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized several major directions to promote Vietnam-US relations; welcomed the strong promotion of economic-trade-investment cooperation and inclusive economic growth towards innovation, which continues to be the core foundation and driving force for bilateral relations. The two sides agreed to create breakthroughs in cooperation in science and technology.

President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of Vietnam's role and position in the region, highly appreciated Vietnam's active role on many regional and global issues; expressed support for Vietnam's development, including economic and scientific-technological cooperation in the new period, including the development of the electronics industry, response to climate change, and development of clean energy.

That same evening, at the JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi, US President Joe Biden met with Vietnamese and international press.

On the morning of September 11, at the Government Office, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with US President Joe Biden. The Prime Minister said that economic - trade - investment cooperation should be considered the "eternal engine" of bilateral relations, and suggested that the US side soon recognize Vietnam's market economy status, as well as upgrade the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, continue to encourage US high-tech enterprises to do business in Vietnam; create breakthroughs in cooperation in science and technology, innovation, education and training; and at the same time further promote cooperation in combating climate change, green growth, and renewable energy development. (Source: VGP)

President Biden agreed with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the orientations and measures to implement the new framework of bilateral relations as well as priority areas of cooperation; suggested that the two sides strengthen cooperation in the semiconductor supply chain through human resource training programs for Vietnam, thereby gradually supporting Vietnam to participate more deeply and become an important link in supply chains in the region and the world.

Afterwards, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Joe Biden attended the Vietnam-US Summit on Investment and Innovation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Joe Biden both expressed confidence in the positive impacts of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework on trade, investment, and innovation relations between Vietnam and the United States; and agreed to make technology, innovation, and investment truly become new pillars of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

At noon on September 11, at the Presidential Palace, President Vo Van Thuong received US President Joe Biden.

President Vo Van Thuong said that this visit, along with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden announcing the upgrading of Vietnam-US relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, reflects the stature of the relationship, is in line with the interests of the people of the two countries, and actively contributes to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

President Joe Biden reaffirmed that the United States values its relationship with Vietnam and supports a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam that continues to innovate, expands international integration, and assumes an increasingly important role in ASEAN and the region.

After the reception, President Vo Van Thuong hosted a State reception to welcome President Joe Biden and the high-ranking US delegation.

On the afternoon of September 11, at the National Assembly House, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met with US President Joe Biden. The two leaders mentioned outstanding congressmen who have made important contributions to the results of the bilateral relationship today, such as the late Senator John McCain, Senator Patrik Leahy, Special Envoy John Kerry and many other congressmen such as Senator Jeff Merkley, Mike Capro, Congressmen Jason Smith and Trent Kelley.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue proposed that the United States promptly complete procedures to recognize Vietnam as a market economy; continue to devote resources to cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war, an indispensable field for the process of healing, building and strengthening trust, understanding and mutual respect between the two countries and peoples. The US President and congressmen agreed with the proposals of the National Assembly Chairman and will strive to promote internal consensus in the United States to support Vietnam-US relations and soon recognize Vietnam's market economy status.

President Joe Biden and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue witnessed the exchange of war relics between the leaders of the Vietnam Veterans Association and the Ministry of National Defense of the United States and Vietnam, a symbolic and deeply humane act. Both sides agreed to work to heal the consequences of the war and discussed the importance of continuing this work.

President Joe Biden expressed his welcome and looked forward to meeting National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue soon in Washington DC.

Before going to the airport, President Joe Biden laid a wreath at the memorial of the late Senator John McCain - who contributed to the normalization of relations between Vietnam and the United States on Thanh Nien Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi. (Source: Reuters)