Tanzania: Vietnam President Jets in Tomorrow for Three-Day Tour

Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, is expected to arrive in Tanzania on Tuesday for a three-day state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries that have lasted for over 50 years.

President Sang will be accompanied by his wife, Mai Thi Hahn, and five cabinet ministers responsible for industry, communications, agriculture, health and water. His delegation will also include 51 businesspeople.

The visit is the first by a Head of State from outside the East African Community (EAC) since President John Magufuli assumed office in November last year. It is as well the first official trip by the Vietnamese leader in Africa since he became president in 2011.

Announcing the visit in Dar es Salaam, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga, said President Sang is scheduled to arrive at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) tomorrow at 08:30pm.

"During his stay in Tanzania, the Vietnamese President will hold talks with President Magufuli as well as the National Chairman of CCM, who was as well the President of the Fourth Phase Government, Mr Jakaya Kikwete.

"Also on the schedule to meet President Sang include the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein and Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Job Ndugai," Dr Mahiga stated.

Upon arrival at JNIA tomorrow night, the visiting leader will be received by Dr Mahiga. Official reception awaits President Sang at the State House on Wednesday where he will be accorded a 21-gun salute and thereafter inspect a guard of honour to be mounted by members of the Tanzania armed forces.

These diplomatic arrangements are contained in the Vienna Convention of 1961 which provides that a Head of State receives 21-gun salute while a Head of Government receives 19.

"Afterwards, President Magufuli will host his counterpart for a tete-a-tete from where they will proceed to witness a signing ceremony on a taxation agreement aimed at boosting trade between Hanoi and Dar es Salaam by shielding investors from the two countries on double taxation when trading or investing in respective countries," Dr Mahiga explained.

On the same day, President Sang will meet and hold talks with Mr Kikwete at the CCM sub office at Lumumba. The visiting leader is as well senior leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam which enjoys longstanding friendship with CCM.

"From Lumumba, President Sang will head for the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) at Mabibo where he will have an opportunity to be informed on opportunities in the manufacturing sector in Tanzania and he will be taken on a tour of factories within the area," Dr Mahiga explained.

Thereafter, the delegation will attend a Tanzania-Vietnam Business Forum with a theme; "A platform to sharing information and unlocking opportunities," to bring together businesspersons from the two countries.

"After meeting President Shein and Speaker Ndugai, President Sang will be hosted for a state-dinner at the State House courtesy of his host President Magufuli," Minister Mahiga said.

President Sang and his delegation will have time to visit Serengeti and Saadani National Parks on Thursday after which they will leave for Mozambique from Kilimanjaro International Airport on Friday.

Bilateral relations between the two countries dates back to the 1960s when that country was under the Communist Party and Tanzania was under the leadership of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.