U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday afternoon, commencing his youths-oriented working agenda in Vietnam’s biggest commercial hub.
President Obama landed on board his Air Force One at Tan Son Nhat International Airport at 4:00 pm, after spending one day and a half in Hanoi meeting with key government officials and delivering a speech in front of over 2,000 people at a convention center.
The president greeted the city with a smile as he waved his hand and stepped down from the plane, being welcomed by local officials.
U.S. President Barack Obama’s Air Force One lands at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on May 24, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre
U.S. President Barack Obama’s Air Force One sits on the tarmac at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on May 24, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre
His delegation, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, had arrived at the airport beforehand, while security at the airport had also been tightened and all the runways of Tan Son Nhat had previously been temporarily shut down to prioritize the president’s Air Force One.
Briefly after landing, Obama boarded one of the two waiting presidential vehicles known as The Beasts, heading to the Jade Pagoda located in District 1, where he will take a tour as part of his agenda.
All streets leading from the airport to the pagoda have been blocked to make way for the president’s motorcade.
Thousands of locals can be seen standing on two sides of the president’s route waiting for Obama’s entourage to pass by, with some holding Vietnamese and U.S. flags, welcome signs, and banners with Obama’s portrait printed on them.
This trip to Ho Chi Minh City is part of President Obama’s three-day official visit to Vietnam from May 23 to 25, in his attempt to enhance bilateral relations with Vietnam and increase U.S. influence in the region.
In the southern city, after touring the century-old pagoda, the president will attend an event devoted to both the two countries’ commercial ties and entrepreneurship.
President Obama will host a town hall with members of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) on Wednesday morning, before leaving for Japan to attend the 2016 G7 Summit.
Tightened security at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on May 24, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Thousands of locals are seen crowding the sidewalks in Ho Chi Minh City waiting for U.S. President Barack Obama’s motorcade on May 24, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre
People in Ho Chi Minh City wave Vietnamese flags to welcome U.S. President Barack Obama’s motorcade on May 24, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre
People in Ho Chi Minh City wave Vietnamese flags to welcome U.S. President Barack Obama’s motorcade on May 24, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre
U.S. President Barack Obama's motorcade moves on a street in Ho Chi Minh City on May 24, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre
U.S. President Barack Obama's motorcade on the move on a street in Ho Chi Minh City May 24, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre
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