A formal ceremony was organized at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi to welcome Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Wednesday morning.

The Emperor and Empress arrived in the Vietnamese capital on Tuesday evening, commencing their five-day state visit to Vietnam under the invitation of State President Tran Dai Quang, which is scheduled from February 28 to March 5.

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang attend a welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam March 1, 2017. REUTERS

Following the welcome ceremony, President Quang and his wife Nguyen Thi Hien held talks with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Presidential Palace.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko talk to Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and his wife Nguyen Thi Hien at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, March 1, 2017. REUTERS

The Emperor and Empress also paid their tribute at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the morning, before meeting Chairwoman of Vietnam’s lawmaking National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in the afternoon. They are scheduled to attend a banquet in the evening.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attend a wreath laying ceremony at the mausoleum of late Vietnamese president Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam March 1, 2017. REUTERS

Upon their arrival on Tuesday evening, the Japanese Emperor and Empress had visited employees of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Vietnam.

They had asked the staff members about their job and life working as voluntary employees for the JICA in the Southeast Asian nation.

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrive for a meeting with volunteers from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Hanoi, Vietnam 28 February 2017. Reuters

Speaking to the Emperor and Empress, the JICA volunteers expressed their joy and hope to contribute their parts to Vietnam’s national development.

This is the first-ever state visit to Vietnam of the Japanese Emperor and Empress since the two countries’ diplomatic relations establishment in 1973.

The trip is expected to be a historic milestone in the development of the Vietnam- Japan relationship.

Japan's Emperor Akihito (L) accompanied by Empress Michiko bow while arrive at Hanoi airport in Vietnam February 28, 2017. REUTERS

Japan's Emperor Akihito (C left) and Empress Michiko (C) are greeted by Vietnamese Vice president Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (2nd L) and other Vietnamese officials as they arrive at Hanoi's International airport Noi Bai, Vietnam February 28, 2017. REUTERS

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrive for a meeting with volunteers from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Hanoi, Vietnam 28 February 2017. Reuters

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang attend a welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam March 1, 2017. REUTERS

Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) shakes hands with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (R) at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, March 1, 2017. REUTERS

From left, Japanese Empress Michiko and Emperor Akihito, and Vietnamese State President Tran Dai Quang and the First Lady at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Vietnamese students wave flags to welcome the Japanese Emperor and Empress. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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