In reply to India Radio’s question about his impression of the visit, Mr Dung said, “The visit left a good impression on India, its land and hospitable people. It provided us with a chance to witness the tremendous achievements in socio-economic development recorded by Indian people during the process of national construction.”

Generations of Vietnamese leaders and people have tried their best to foster the time-honoured relationship between Vietnam and India, which was established by the two late leaders Ho Chi Minh and Jawaharlal Nehru, 50 years ago. Vietnam wants to further strengthen the traditional ties of friendship and cooperation with India for the mutual benefit of the two countries and for peace and stability in the region and the world, Mr Dung said.

For his part, the Indian PM, Manmohan Singh believed that Mr Dung’s visit to India would open up a new period of development in the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Immediately after the welcome ceremony, Mr Dung and his wife laid wreaths at the Mohandas Gandhi monument.

As scheduled, Mr Dung is expected to meet leaders of the Indian Lower House of Parliament, leaders of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India-Marxism (CPI-M) and Indian President Abdul Kalam.

In the evening (Vietnam time), Mr Dung will have talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to devise strategic steps and bold measures to boost bilateral friendship and cooperation in all fields.