Former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk, Queen Mother Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk and King Norodom Sihamoni arrived in Ha Noi yesterday (June 23) to start a four-day visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet.

President Triet hailed the royal family as close and esteemed friends of the Vietnamese people.

He said the visit was a special event in relations between the neighbouring countries, who had a long history of cooperation and traditional friendship.

In President Triet's meeting with former King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk, the two sides reviewed the two countries' histories, including both nations' struggles for independence.

Vietnamese and generations of Vietnamese leaders always remembered, respected and were thankful for the profound sentiments and support of the former king and Cambodian people to Viet Nam in the past and during the present, said Triet.

In reply, Sihanouk thanked Vietnamese leaders for their valuable sentiments and support to his family and Cambodia during the past and at present.

Triet and Sihanouk expressed their delight at continued development in friendly relations between Viet Nam and Cambodia. They said they believed bilateral ties would continue to be consolidated and developed in the time to come.

-Viet Nam News/Asia News Network