WASHINGTON: U.S. President Joe Biden will pay an official visit to Vietnam on his way back home after attending the G-20 summit in New Delhi next month.
The White House said that after participating in the G-20 summit on September 9, Biden will arrive in Hanoi on September 10.
On the same day, he will leave for Alaska to observe the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
White House statement said President Biden will meet with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other top leaders to discuss ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation.
It said the two sides will explore prospects to promote the growth of a technology-focused and innovation-driven Vietnamese economy.
US seeks to enhance people-to-people ties with Vietnam
The statement further said the US wants to expand its people-to-people ties through education exchanges and workforce development programs with Vietnam.
Biden’s visit to Hanoi comes under criticism as he skipped the U.S.-ASEAN leaders’ summit in Jakarta just days before the G-20 event. Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the summit.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama visited Vietnam in May 2016. Former President Donald Trump visited the country twice. He first went to Vietnam to attend the APEC summit in November 2017, later he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in February 2019 in vitamin as neutral soil.
