Socialist Republic of Vietnam

US President George W. Bush on November 17 paid his official visit to Vietnam, where he will also attend the 14th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

President Bush's four-day visit, the second by a US President, was made at the invitation of Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet.

At a reception held later on November 17 after an official welcome ceremony, President Triet expressed his belief that the visit would mark a milestone and help boost bilateral co-operation between Vietnam and the US. The Vietnamese President affirmed that Vietnam would do its best to make Bush's visit a success.

The US President said he and his wife had a good impression about the warm welcome by thousands of people in Hanoi. He affirmed that he would do his utmost to continue strengthen Vietnam-US bilateral relations.

President Bush invited President Triet and his wife to visit the US next year and the Vietnamese President accepted the invitation with pleasure.

The two presidents held talks after the reception.

Vietnam-US economic and trade ties have seen positive developments with two-way trade turnover up from US $1.5 billion in 2001 to US $7.8 billion in 2005.

Vietnam and the US have also expanded their co-operation in many other areas, such as healthcare, particularly efforts in the fights against HIV/AIDS and avian influenza, co-operation on counter terrorism and co-operation on resolving the aftermath of war. (VNA)