In Vietnam, Modi pays homage to war heroes at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

He will later meet Vietnamese President to deepen ties in key areas of defence, security and trade, oil exploration, and some other sectors.

Hanoi

: Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick-started his engagement in Hanoi by paying homage to national heroes and martyrs at their monuments Saturday morning. He also laid wreath at the war memorial located across the Ba Dinh Square, across the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and close to Hanoi Citadel.

“Beginning with the memory of Vietnam’s Martyrs.PM @narendramodi lays wreath at Monument of National Heroes & Martyrs,” Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

“Programmes in Vietnam begin with a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument of National Heroes and Martyrs,” tweeted PMO.

Prime Minister Modi then paid homage to revered leader Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum. In his Facebook post, Modi had described Ho Chi Minh as one of 20th century’s tallest leaders.

“In Vietnam, I will have the opportunity to pay homage to Ho Chi Minh, one of 20th century’s tallest leaders,” Modi said.

“A tribute to one of the most respected icons of the 20th century PM @narendramodi at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum,” tweeted PMO.

He was then accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourts of Presidential Palace and was given a guard of honour by the Vietnamese Government.

The Indian Prime Minister, who arrived in Vietnamese capital Hanoi last night, will on Saturday hold bilateral talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc and will also meet President Tran Dai Quang to deepen ties in key areas of defence, security and trade, oil exploration, solar energy and some other sectors.

He will also meet Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, National Assembly Chairperson Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Prime Minister Modi is the fourth Indian Prime Minister to visit Vietnam during past about 50 years.