Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Vietnam yesterday on the first visit by an Iranian president in 17 years, as the sanctions-hit Islamic Republic seeks to strengthen ties with allies outside the West.
Ahmadinejad, making a two-day stop in Hanoi on the way home from the Bali Democracy Forum, discussed economic links and other potential areas of co-operation with President Truong Tan Sang.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Ahmadinejad hailed the very friendly relations between the two countries and said both sides aimed to strengthen their bilateral ties.
We are determined to extend co-operation in different fields, including (the) economy, agriculture, industry, science and technology, culture, tourism and sport, he said, speaking through an interpreter.
It is the highest-level Iranian visit since 1995 to the communist nation, which is generally seen as supportive of Tehrans right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Sang said co-operation between the two countries would be accelerated in the future. Ahmadinejad was also due to meet Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung for talks on trade and investment.
The two countries - which established diplomatic ties in 1973 - have previously signed a range of agreements to co-operate on oil and gas and infrastructure projects.
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