PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday left for his two-day state visit to Vietnam, his first for the year.

The chartered Philippine Airlines flight carrying the President, First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos, several Cabinet secretaries, and the rest of the delegation took off for Hanoi from the Villamor Air Base at 1:06 p.m.

VIETNAM VISIT President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Marie Louise 'Liza' Araneta-Marcos arrive at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

"It is important to undertake my first state visit to Vietnam, our only strategic partner in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)... I strongly believe we have a vast sea of opportunities in the post-pandemic time," Marcos said in his pre-departure speech.

"I'm confident this state visit will usher in a new area of friendship with Vietnam," he said.

He said he hopes to forge new partnerships on maritime cooperation, defense and security, trade, education, and tourism, among others.

Marcos is scheduled to meet Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Vietnam's National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

He will also have roundtable discussions with top Vietnamese business leaders to encourage closer trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

Vice President Sara Duterte is the government's caretaker while the President is away.

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