United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has taken a walk down the Old Quarter in Hanoi, upon arriving in the Vietnamese capital for a two-day official visit on Sunday.

Washington's top diplomat was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink during the walk around one of the most popular destinations in Hanoi, as part of his business trip to the Southeast Asian country from July 8 to 9.

After having dinner at the Press Club, Secretary Pompeo strolled along Trang Tien Street and took photos at the iconic Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake.

He also visited the Dinh Le Book Street before returning to the Metropole Hotel.

“Enjoyed my walk in Hanoi with [Ambassador] Kritenbrink. The American and Vietnamese people have a meaningful relationship, full of potential. Glad I had a chance to visit and build on those ties,” Pompeo wrote on Twitter on Monday.

This is Pompeo’s first visit to Vietnam as U.S. Sectary of State.

Earlier the same day, the U.S. top diplomat joined talks with Vietnamese Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, during which he welcomed the fruitful and diverse cooperation in various sectors between the two countries.

The Press Club in Hanoi, where Secretary Pompeo had dinner on July 8, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The U.S. wants to strengthen its comprehensive partnership with Vietnam, Pompeo asserted.

Replying to his guest, General Secretary Trong believed that a closer Vietnam-U.S. engagement will build deeper trust and understanding between the two nations.

The host and guest also discussed the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Vietnam Sea. 

Secretary Pompeo also had a meeting with Vietnamese businesses following the talks.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) and U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink are pictured in downtown Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre

“I’m encouraged by my meeting with the business community in Vietnam. The country has traveled a remarkable path. Prosperity and security abound, and today we enjoy a once-unimaginable partnership,” he wrote on Twitter.

The U.S. official was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh on Monday.

Hanoi is part of a five-country tour of the U.S. top diplomat from July 5 to 12, which also includes stops in Pyongyang, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi and Brussels.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

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