Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong left Austria on Tuesday afternoon (local time) for his visits to Italy and the Vatican at the invitation of Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis from Tuesday to Friday this week.

Upon his arrival in Italy, President Thuong and his entourage met with officials and staff members of the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy, representatives of the Vietnamese businesses and community, and foreign friends of Vietnam in this EU nation.

This is the first time that a Vietnamese head of state has paid a visit to Italy or the Vatican in the past seven years.

His visit to Italy takes place while the Southeast Asian and the EU nation celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

During these trips, President Thuong will hold talks with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis.

The Vietnamese state leader will also meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, President of Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana, and Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri, in addition to attending the 50th anniversary celebration of the Vietnam - Italy diplomatic ties on Wednesday.

During his visit to the Vatican, President Thuong will meet with Pope Francis and Secretary of State of the Vatican Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, remarked that the Vietnam - Vatican relations have advanced positively.

Both sides have maintained the exchange of high-ranking delegations and meetings of the Vietnam - Holy See Joint Working Group.

This Joint Working Group on March 31 this year held the 10th-round meeting in the Vatican, co-chaired by Deputy Minister Hang and Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States.

The Holy See has also sent its non-resident Special Envoy to Vietnam since 2011.

The Vietnamese diplomat added that President Thuong’s visit to the Vatican will pave the way for new prospects of the Vietnam - Vatican ties in the years to come.

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