Vietnam fires cannons to welcome German President and his wife

On the afternoon of January 23, the welcoming ceremony for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender was solemnly held at the Presidential Palace, chaired by President Vo Van Thuong and his wife.

As the convoy carrying the President, his wife and the delegation entered the Presidential Palace, to the sound of welcoming music, President Vo Van Thuong and his wife Phan Thi Thanh Tam warmly welcomed the German President and his wife. Two students presented the President and his wife with a bouquet of fresh flowers. The President invited the President to walk on the red carpet and to the podium.

President Vo Van Thuong welcomes President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Photo: VNA

President Vo Van Thuong and German President review the honor guard of the Vietnam People's Army.

21-gun salute ceremony. Photo: VNA

The cannon firing ceremony was broadcast live from Thang Long Imperial Citadel to the Presidential Palace.

The military band played the national anthems of both countries. With the national anthems of both countries, 21 cannon salutes were fired from Thang Long Imperial Citadel in the highest welcome ceremony for the German leader's state visit to Vietnam. At the end of the official welcoming ceremony, the two leaders returned to the podium and witnessed the welcoming parade of the Vietnam People's Army's Honor Guard. After the welcoming ceremony, the President and the German President held talks.

President Vo Van Thuong and his wife and the German President and his wife

President Vo Van Thuong and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier before talks.

In recent years, the Vietnam-Germany strategic partnership has continued to deepen in many areas. Vietnam and Germany established diplomatic relations on September 23, 1975. The two countries established a strategic partnership in 2011.

Germany is Vietnam's largest trading partner in Europe, accounting for nearly 20% of Vietnam's exports to the European Union (EU), and is also an important transit gateway for Vietnamese goods to other markets in Europe. Two-way trade turnover in 2023 is expected to reach more than 11 billion USD.

Overview of the meeting

President Steinmeier will also meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and have other activities during his visit. After concluding his activities in Hanoi, the President will visit and inspect a number of German projects in Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding areas.

Vietnamnet.vn

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