Bhutanese King, Queen conclude state visit to Vietnam
The Vietnamese leaders expressed their belief that the Bhutanese King's state visit, accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, marked an important milestone, opening up opportunities to further deepen the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Bhutan.
Party General Secretary To Lam (R) receives King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Hanoi on August 19. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck left Hanoi on August 22 morning, successfully concluding their five-day state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of State President Luong Cuong and his spouse.
During their stay, the King and Queen laid wreaths and paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum, and fallen heroes at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs on Bac Son street in Hanoi.
Party General Secretary To Lam hosted a reception for King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. President Cuong presided over an official welcome ceremony and a state banquet in honour of the King. The President and the King held talks and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man also held meetings with the Bhutanese monarch.
At these meetings and talks, the Vietnamese leaders warmly welcomed the King and Queen of Bhutan, emphasising the significance of the first state-level visit between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations. They expressed their belief that the visit, accompanied by a high-ranking Bhutanese delegation, marked an important milestone, opening up opportunities to further deepen the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Bhutan. The leaders underscored that the strengthened partnership would serve the interests of both countries' people while contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.
State President Luong Cuong (R) and King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck witness the exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation framework between the two governments. (Photo: VNA)
For his part, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck expressed his delight to make his first state visit to Vietnam, and extended his sincere thanks for the warm and respectful welcome from the Vietnamese leaders and people. He voiced his admiration for the resilience and indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people in their struggle for national independence, as well as for the country’s remarkable socio-economic achievements today. The King praised the vision and strategic direction of the Vietnamese leaders and expressed his confidence that Vietnam will successfully realise its development goals.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck affirmed that Bhutan regards Vietnam as one of its top priority partners in Southeast Asia, and showed his hope to strengthen multifaceted cooperation while learning from Vietnam’s experiences.
During the visit, the King toured several localities as well as religious and economic establishments in Vietnam.
꧂ Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, spouse of President Luong Cuong, together with Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, visited and offered incense at Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi./.
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