SINGAPORE : Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet will make a state visit to Singapore from November 16 to 17 at the invitation of President S R Nathan.

The state visit by President Triet underscores the strong bilateral relations between Singapore and Vietnam, and serves to reaffirm the close ties between the two countries.

President Triet will be accompanied by his spouse, Madam Tran Thi Kim Chi; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem; Chairman of President's Office Nguyen Van Chien; Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang; Minister of Finance Vu Van Ninh; as well as senior officials.

During the visit, President Triet will call on President Nathan. He will also meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Professor S Jayakumar and Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi.

President Nathan and Mrs Nathan will also host a state banquet in honour of President Triet and Madam Chi.

A key highlight of the state visit will be the Singapore Business Federation Eminent Leaders Lecture, "Vietnam: Partnership for Progress", which President Triet will deliver to an audience of prominent businessmen. The lecture will be chaired by Senior Minister Jayakumar.

While in Singapore, President Triet will also visit the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Stele at the Asian Civilisations Museum and Fusionopolis. - CNA/ms