Bhutanese King and Queen’s State visit to Vietnam in the spotlight

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck arrive in Hanoi on August 18, officially beginning their State visit to Vietnam – the first by the highest-ranking Bhutanese leader to Vietnam since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2012. (Photo: VNA)

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The King and Queen of Bhutan lay a wreath and pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum, and lay a wreath at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs in Hanoi on August 19. (Photo: VNA)

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President Luong Cuong hosts the official welcoming ceremony for King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck at the Presidential Palace, before conducting high-level talks on the same day.

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During the talks, the two sides agree to promote cooperation in potential areas such as spiritual tourism, organic and high-quality agriculture, and traditional medicine. They also agree to soon establish direct flights to foster cultural exchanges and people-to-people connectivity. President Luong Cuong welcomes Bhutan’s efforts to expand practical cooperation and expresses Vietnam’s readiness to facilitate stronger connections between Bhutan, Southeast Asian countries, and ASEAN.

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After the talks, President Luong Cuong and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck witness the signing of a framework cooperation agreement between the two Governments and an agreement on aviation cooperation.

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Receiving the King on August 19, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirms that Vietnam always values and seeks to further deepen its friendship with Bhutan. He assures that the Vietnamese National Assembly creates favourable legal and policy conditions to support Bhutanese businesses investing and operating in Vietnam.

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Also on August 19, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Both sides agree to effectively tap into cooperation across all fields. Vietnam expresses its readiness to export goods that Bhutan needs and in which Vietnam has strengths, such as food, consumer goods, construction materials, and electronics, while importing Bhutanese products. (Photo: VNA)

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Later the same afternoon, Party General Secretary To Lam receives King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The two sides vowed to further strengthen trust and bonds between their countries, enhance high-level delegation exchanges and the sharing of governance experience, and create breakthroughs in economic, trade, and investment cooperation. They also agree to cooperate more closely and support each other at multilateral forums. (Photo: VNA)

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President Luong Cuong and his spouse host a State banquet in honour of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, and the high-ranking Bhutanese delegation.

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King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck visits several localities and religious and economic establishments in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Madame Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, spouse of President Luong Cuong, and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck visit and offer incense at Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)