Jacinda Ardern with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the red carpet at a full ceremonial welcome in Hanoi at the start of her two day visit. Photo: Supplied
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has received a full-scale ceremonial welcome upon her arrival in Vietnam.
She is in the capital, Hanoi, to rejuvenate the relationship between the two countries, which was disrupted by the pandemic.
Vietnam laid on a lavish welcome, starting with a motorcade from the airport that sped to the central city in 20 minutes - for a journey known to take more than an hour.
At the official welcome, Ardern was graced with dozens of flag waving children, a 90-strong military band, and a guard of honour.
She then met with her counterpart Pham Minh Chinh and the two signed agreements for improved cooperation in air services, and an increase in the number of working holiday visas.