President Higgins to visit Vietnam and Laos
Date: Wed 2nd Nov, 2016 | 13:20
President Michael D. Higgins will undertake a State Visit to Vietnam, at the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang, from the 6th to the 14th of November.
The State Visit marks 20 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Vietnam.
The State Visit to Vietnam will be followed by an Official Visit to Laos.
The President will be accompanied by Sabina Higgins. Minister Charles Flanagan will be the accompanying Minister on this State Visit.
On Monday, 7th November, the President will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, and inspect a Guard of Honour. After the ceremony, President Michael D. Higgins will have a formal meeting with President Tran Dai Quang, before visiting the National Assembly for a meeting with the Chairperson of the Vietnamese parliament.
On Tuesday, 8th November, the President will lay a wreath at the Monument of National Heroes and Martyrs in Hanoi. Later that day, President Michael D. Higgins will deliver a keynote speech at the Vietnam National University, the oldest university in the country.
In his speech, the President will reflect on Irish and Vietnamese history and culture, on the two nations’ experiences with colonialism, their paths to independence and their efforts at crafting new models of social and economic development. The President will also share his thoughts on the national and international challenges being faced by the two countries, in relation to climate change, global poverty, sustainable development, gender equality, equitable finance models and the need for a review of the role of multilateralism.
In the afternoon, the President will have meetings with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and with the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, and will later attend a reception hosted in President Higgins’ honour by the Irish Ambassador to Vietnam, Cáit Moran. This will be followed by a concert in the Hanoi Opera House.
On Wednesday, 9th November, the President will travel to Dong Ha, to visit a Landmine Education Centre and to see the practical work of a landmine clearance project.
On Thursday, 10th November, President Michael D. Higgins will meet representatives of communities and organisations involved in poverty reduction programmes, before travelling on to Ho Chi Minh City.
On Friday, 11th November, the President will meet with representatives of the Irish and Vietnamese business sectors, and will later meet with civic and political leaders in Ho Chi Minh City.
On Saturday, 12th November, President Michael D. Higgins will meet with NGOs and organisations who are partnering with Irish Aid, as part of Ireland’s poverty reduction programme in Vietnam.
On Sunday, 13th November, the President will meet with representatives of Vietnam’s Ministry of Tourism and related agencies. On Monday, 14th November, President Higgins will travel on to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
On Tuesday, 15th November, the President will receive a ceremonial welcome from President Bounnhang Vorachith. This will be followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.
The President will go on to meet with the Chairperson of the National Assembly, Pany Yathotou. The President and Sabina Higgins will later be hosted at a State Banquet, which will include a performance of Lao traditional music and dance.
On Wednesday, 16th November, President Higgins will visit the Wat Sasiket temple and tour the Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality. The President will later attend a reception for the Irish community in Laos. The President will visit the Mahasot hospital in Vientiane to profile work on early childhood nutrition.
On Wednesday, 16th November, the President and Sabina Higgins will leave for Dublin, where the President will review a Guard of Honour at Dublin Airport on Thursday, 17th November.