(VOVworld) -  Irish President Michael Higgins and his wife Sabina on Monday began a State-level visit to Vietnam. The 5-day visit aims to enhance ties between Vietnam and Ireland.

Irish President Michael Daniel Higgins and his wife Sabina were welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

After the official welcoming ceremony on Monday, the two presidents met for a talk. In the afternoon, President Higgins met with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. On Tuesday, President Higgins will lay a wreath at the Monument for Heroic Martyrs and talk to students at Hanoi National University. Later, he will meet with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and pay a courtesy visit to Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong. During his stay, President Higgins will visit landmine clearance and poverty reduction projects funded by Ireland in Hue and Quang Tri. He will also visit Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province.

The Irish Times of Ireland on Sunday ran an article covering the eight-day trip of President Higgins to Vietnam and Laos. The State visit to Vietnam marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties and boosts ties in trade, investment, development, education, and training.