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

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

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

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

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

The General Secretary highly appreciated the contents agreed upon by the leaders of the two countries in the Joint Statement on elevating the Vietnam-US relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.

The talks took place in an atmosphere of friendship, equality, mutual understanding, and respect, with extensive and comprehensive exchanges, yielding positive results. The important outcomes of the talks and President Joe Biden's visit will contribute positively to the development of bilateral relations in the new phase, for the benefit of the people of both countries, and for peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Following the talks, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden addressed the Vietnamese, American, and international press.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized several major directions to promote Vietnam-US relations; he welcomed the strong promotion of economic, trade, and investment cooperation, and the continued focus and driving force of inclusive economic growth based on innovation in the bilateral relationship. Both sides agreed to create breakthroughs in cooperation in science and technology.

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

Later that evening, at the JW Marriott Hanoi hotel, US President Joe Biden met with Vietnamese and international journalists.

On the morning of September 11th, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with US President Joe Biden. The Prime Minister stated that economic, trade, and investment cooperation should be considered the "eternal engine" of bilateral relations. He requested that the US side soon recognize Vietnam's market economy status, upgrade the Framework Agreement on Trade and Investment, and continue to encourage high-tech US businesses to operate in Vietnam. He also called for breakthroughs in cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and education and training, while further promoting cooperation in combating climate change, green growth, and renewable energy development. (Source: VGP)

President Biden agreed with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the directions and measures for implementing the new framework of bilateral relations, as well as priority areas of cooperation; he proposed that both sides strengthen cooperation in the semiconductor supply chain through human resource training programs for Vietnam, thereby gradually supporting Vietnam's deeper participation and becoming an important link in regional and global supply chains.

Later, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Joe Biden jointly 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 new pillars of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

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

President Vo Van Thuong stated that this visit, along with the announcement by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden to upgrade Vietnam-US relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflects the significance of the relationship, aligns with the interests of the people of both countries, and makes a positive contribution 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, supporting a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam that continues to innovate, expand international integration, and play an increasingly important role in ASEAN and the region.

Following the meeting, President Vo Van Thuong hosted a state banquet to welcome President Joe Biden and the high-level US delegation.

On the afternoon of September 11th, at the National Assembly building, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met with US President Joe Biden. The two leaders mentioned prominent senators who have made significant contributions to the current state of bilateral relations, such as the late Senator John McCain, Senator Patrik Leahy, Special Envoy John Kerry, and many others including Senators Jeff Merkley and Mike Capro, and Representatives Jason Smith and Trent Kelley.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue requested that the United States expedite the procedures for recognizing Vietnam as a market economy; and continue to allocate resources for cooperation in overcoming the consequences of war, an indispensable area for the healing process, building and strengthening trust, understanding, and mutual respect between the two states and peoples. The US President and members of Congress agreed with the National Assembly Chairman's proposals and pledged to work towards promoting internal consensus within the United States to support Vietnam-US relations and to soon recognize Vietnam's market economy status.

President Joe Biden and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue witnessed the exchange of war relics between leaders of the Veterans Association, the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam and the United States, an act of profound symbolism and humanity. Both sides agreed to work towards healing the consequences of war and discussed the importance of continuing this work.

President Joe Biden expressed his welcome and his desire to meet with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in Washington D.C. soon.

Before heading to the airport, President Joe Biden laid a wreath at the memorial to 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)