Vietnam fires 21-gun salute to welcome Indonesian President Joko Widodo

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong received Wikodo at Hanoi’s Presidential Palace, and both leaders participated in a flag salutation ceremony. They witnessed the honor guard of the Vietnamese People’s Army marching, before entering dialogues to discuss about Vietnam and Indonesia’s bilateral relations and witness the signing of agreements.

Widodo is having a state visit to Vietnam from Thursday to Saturday, and the two leaders are expected to discuss measures and directions for cooperation several fields, like economy, commerce, investment, security, defense, transport and agriculture.

Vietnam and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1955. The two countries established their comprehensive partnership in 2003, before upgrading to a strategic partnership in 2013. Vietnam is Indonesia’s sole strategic partner in ASEAN.

Indonesia is the third largest trade partner for Vietnam among ASEAN, while Vietnam is Indonesia’s fourth in ASEAN. By November 2023, bilateral trade turnover between the two countries reached $12.6 billion, and the two are aiming for an annual trade turnover at $15 billion.