US President Biden's first day in Hanoi

The motorcade escorting President Biden moves to the Marriott Hotel (Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi), where the US delegation is staying. Video: Vo Hai

The plane landed at Noi Bai, the US President moved to the Presidential Palace to attend the welcoming ceremony and hold talks with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam.

At 4:00 p.m. on September 10, US President Joe Biden and his entourage landed at Noi Bai Airport on Air Force One flight number 2900, beginning a two-day state visit to Vietnam on September 10-11.

This is President Biden's first visit to Vietnam since he took office in early 2021. The event takes place on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

The plane landed, President Biden in a dark blue suit, wearing black glasses stepped down at Noi Bai airport. He stopped on the stairs for a few seconds, smiled and greeted those who came to welcome him, and received flowers from female students in the capital. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

Accompanying the US President were senior officials such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink.

Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation were Party Central Committee member and Head of the Party Central Committee's External Relations Commission Le Hoai Trung; Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc; Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung; Chairman of the Hanoi People's Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan; and Director of State Protocol Nguyen Viet Dung. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

After brief ceremonies and exchanges at the airport with US Ambassador Marc E. Knapper in Hanoi, President Biden and his entourage boarded the car to attend the official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace.

The motorcade carrying the US President from Noi Bai airport followed Vo Nguyen Giap street, crossed Nhat Tan bridge, then followed Vo Chi Cong - Dao Tan - Kim Ma - Nguyen Thai Hoc - Chu Van An - Doc Lap to the Presidential Palace.

The convoy passed Kim Ma Street. Photo: Pham Du

After about 25 minutes of travel, the motorcade carrying President Biden entered the Presidential Palace.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed, shook hands, and talked with the US President, and the two leaders introduced the officials in the delegation.

The official welcoming ceremony for US President Joe Biden was held at the Presidential Palace with the highest protocol reserved for heads of state, chaired by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Panorama of the welcoming ceremony for President Biden at the Presidential Palace. Soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army Honor Guard stand solemnly in formation to welcome the two leaders. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

The two leaders then stepped onto the podium to salute the flag. At the end of the flag-raising ceremony, the Vietnam People's Army honor guard shouted in unison "Wishing the President good health!" before marching through the stage. Photo: Ngoc Thanh

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden before starting talks. Photo: Giang Huy

After the welcoming ceremony, President Biden and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong moved to the Party Central Committee Office headquarters to begin talks.

After the talks, Vietnam and the US established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

"For the benefit of the people of the two countries and the desire to enhance cooperation for the goals of peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the new context, Vietnam welcomes the establishment of a new level of relations between the two countries as a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development," General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said during talks with US President Joe Biden at the Party Central Committee's headquarters on the afternoon of September 10, according to a statement from the Party Central Committee's External Relations Commission. Photo: Giang Huy

President Joe Biden expressed his pleasure at meeting General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong again, emphasizing that the visit has historic significance not only for the relationship between the two countries but also for the Indo-Pacific region and the world. He stated the US's stance on supporting an open, stable, secure, interconnected and prosperous region.

President Joe Biden highly appreciated Vietnam's achievements in development, contributions to international affairs, and the contributions and leadership role of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

He supports Vietnam's development, including economic and scientific-technological cooperation in the new period such as developing the electronics industry, responding to climate change, and developing clean energy.

According to the US President, upgrading the Vietnam-US relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is beneficial to both countries and in the common international interest. Photo: Giang Huy

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Biden hold a press conference after their talks in Hanoi. Photo: Giang Huy

US President Joe Biden held a press conference in Hanoi on the evening of September 10. Photo: Huy Thanh

On the second day in Hanoi (October 11), President Biden will meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The two will then attend the Vietnam-US Summit on Innovation and Investment.

At noon on September 11, President Vo Van Thuong will receive and host a state reception for US President Biden.