The visit marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and India (January 7) and five years since the two countries established their strategic partnership.

During his visit, Mr Ahamed will meet with Vietnamese leaders and deliver messages of congratulation from Indian leaders.

He will hold talks with Ho Chi Minh City leaders and meet with Indian business community representatives in the city.

The Minister of State will attend activities celebrating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the ceremony to announce the ‘Vietnam-India friendship year’ which will be followed by a series of trade promotion activities and workshops. An Indian Year will also be launched in Vietnam with various cultural programmes, culinary festivals and arts exhibitions in a number of cities and provinces across the country.

He will join a ceremony to introduce the Institute of Indian and Southwest Asian Studies (IISAS) held by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS). The Institute will help strengthen scholar exchange between the two nations in history, languages, literature, politics, economics and social studies.

India and Vietnam have developed good relations in economy and trade. Total trade turnover between the two countries hit US$3.5 billon in 2011. India and Vietnam have agreed to raise the figure to US$7 billion by 2015.