An official welcome ceremony with a 21-gun salute was held at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, welcoming President Quang and his entourage in the presence of Bangladeshi President Mohammad Abdul Hamid and Vietnamese Embassy staff.

The visit takes place at a time when both nations are celebrating 45 years of diplomatic ties. It affirms Vietnam’s unwavering external policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations, including the long-standing friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Bangladesh.

The visit is expected to make breakthroughs in bilateral economic and trade links.With great potential for broader cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and electronics, the two sides are set to achieve the bilateral trade target of beyond US$1 billion.

Since both nations officially established diplomatic relations 45 years ago (February 11, 1973), they have enjoyed their traditional friendship and fine cooperation with important development steps seen in both politics and economy.

Vietnam always places importance on and desires to further develop its friendly and cooperative relations with Bangladesh. The two nations have stood side by side and supported each other in the process of national construction, sovereignty safeguarding and economic development in each nation.

Immediately after his arrival in the capital city of Dhaka , the Vietnamese State leader met with Bangladeshi Minister of Foreign Affairs Abul Hassan Mahmood Alion who recalled the Bangladeshi people's sentiments towards Vietnam, and believed that President Quang’s visit will usher in a new chapter in bilateral relations.

President Quang congratulated Bangladesh on its recent achievements and
suggested the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs should ask other ministries and sectors to effectively implement high-level agreements and launch pragmatic activities celebrating the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties, especially people-to-people exchanges and business networking so as to deepen the bilateral relationship.

Later on the same day, President Quang and his delegation visited Vietnamese embassy staff and Vietnamese community representatives in Bangladesh.

Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Van Khoa briefed Quang on the situation and activities of the embassy and Vietnamese community while the top leader of the Vietnamese State kept embassy staff updated about home country’s socio-economic status and achievements in foreign affairs, specially the successful hosting of the APEC Year 2017.

Vietnam-Bangladesh relations are witnessing major steps of development  and fruitful cooperation in a multitude of fields, he said, noting that this year the two countries are celebrating 45 years of diplomatic ties, representing a landmark in the development of bilateral relations.
Last year, more than 30 Vietnamese business delegations came to explore the Bangladesh which is seen as a potential market with a population of more than 160 million. 

Both sides need to further expand bilateral relations and cooperation in agriculture, education-training, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges by intensifying all-level delegation exchange and trade and investment promotion activities to elevate bilateral trade to US$2 billion by 2020, Quang emphasized.
The President also urged Vietnamese expats in Bangladesh to unite together and make even greater contributions to the home country and the bilateral ties.

Earlier the same day, President Quang concluded his three-day State visit to India. Quang sent a message of thanks to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, highlighting senior leaders and people of India's warm welcome and sentiments towards the President and Vietnamese delegation.

Source: vov.vn