President Hu Jintao visits Vietnam
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-31 14:59

China's president arrived Monday in Vietnam on a mission to expand booming trade ties between the two nations.

The Vietnamese look to their giant neighbor to the north as a model for their economic development. The countries have maintained regular high-level visits since their normalization of relations in 1991.

About 1,000 people waving Vietnamese and Chinese flags welcomed President Hu Jintao on his arrival at Hanoi's international airport. Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan and Politburo member Nguyen Khoa Diem also were on hand.

Hu was expected to meet with Vietnamese leaders later Monday. On Tuesday, he was expected to address parliament, a rare honor for a foreign leader.