Mr Putin thanked the country’s leadership and Mr Le Kha Phieu personally for the warm and friendly welcome extended to him. He said all his negotiations held as part of his official visit to Vietnam had been constructive and substantive in nature.
Earlier in the morning, the President laid wreaths at the Fallen Heroes Memorial and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Ba Dinh Square.
Mr Putin also inspected the ancient Temple of Literature. He made the following entry in the distinguished guests’ book: “Vietnamese culture is among the world’s oldest, richest and most diverse. By working from such a background, the Vietnamese people are bound to solve all problems in developing their motherland. With a feeling of admiration, Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. 02.03. 2001.”