Duterte flies off to Vietnam Wednesday afternoon

PRESIDENT Duterte is scheduled to leave for Vietnam on Wednesday afternoon to boost bilateral ties and cooperation in the face of China’s challenge in the South China Sea, officials said.

Upon touching down at the Noi Bai International Airport, the President is to begin his official visit by meeting with members of the 3,800-strong Filipino community who would be traveling to Hanoi to see Mr. Duterte.

According to the program of activities released by Malacañang, the meeting is scheduled at the Intercontinental Hotel in the socialist state’s capital.

The highlight of the second day of the President’s official visit is his official meetings with top Vietnamese officials, including Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

On Thursday morning, Duterte will take part in wreath-laying ceremonies at the Monument of the National Heroes and Martyrs and at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

This will be followed by an official welcome for the visiting leader at the State Palace, also on Thursday morning. Duterte would then meet Vietnamese state President Tran Dai Quang.

In the afternoon, the President is to pay a courtesy call on the Vietnamese prime minister.

Duterte would make a separate courtesy call on Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs  Charles Jose earlier said the President and the Vietnamese leaders were expected to tackle will various areas of bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues.