The U.S. official arrived in the Vietnamese capital on Wednesday, commencing his official visit to the country from January 24 to 25.

Upon his arrival, Secretary Mattis visited the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in Hanoi, which works to recover the remains of missing American service members.

Secretary James Mattis visits the Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi on the morning of January 25, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

He began his agenda on Thursday by paying a trip to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in the Vietnamese capital.

Originally constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De (from 544 until 548), the pagoda is located on a small island near the southeastern shore of the West Lake.

Secretary James Mattis (C) and U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink at the Tran Quoc Pagoda. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A formal ceremony was held later that evening to welcome the U.S. official to the headquarters of Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense in advance of a meeting between the two countries' delegations led by Mattis and his Vietnamese counterpart, Minister Ngo Xuan Lich.

James Mattis talks with a monk at the pagoda. Photo: Tuoi Tre

General Lich also presented his guest with a photo collection detailing cooperation between the two countries in dealing with war consequences and partnering for United Nations peacekeeping efforts.

Secretary Mattis met with Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and State President Tran Dai Quang before concluding his Vietnam visit later that day.

Secretary Mattis shakes hands with General Ngo Xuan Lich at the headquarters of Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A welcome ceremony for the U.S. official in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Secretary Mattis and Minister Lich review the guard of honor. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Secretary Mattis greets Vietnamese defense officials. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A talk held between Vietnam and U.S.’s delegations of defense officials. Photo: Tuoi Tre

General Ngo Xuan Lich shows his guest a photo collection detailing cooperation between the two countries in dealing with war consequences and partnering for United Nations peacekeeping efforts. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Secretary James Mattis shakes hands with Vietnamese Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong on the evening of January 25, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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