(Hanoi, Vietnam)– President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, September 29, started his official visit here with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of the National Heroes and Martyrs.

The President wore a barong and black pants and was accompanied by Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang.

Also with the President at the wreath-laying ceremony were Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and Senator Francis Escudero.

The Monument of the National Heroes and Martyrs, also called the Vietnam War Memorial, is located in Bac Son Street across the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

It was constructed in 1993 and commemorates men and women who sacrificed themselves during the 2nd Indochina War, also known as the American War in Vietnam.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, the President’s official delegation went straight to the welcome ceremony at the State Palace.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the third country visited by President Duterte since he assumed office last June. The Philippines has a Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, which was signed last year.

Vietnam and the Philippines are celebrating the 40th year of bilateral relations this year.

It will be recalled that earlier this month, President Duterte visited Lao PDR for his first attendance in the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits as well as Indonesia for his first working visit. PND