MALAYSIAN KING, QUEEN TO VISIT VIETNAM THURSDAY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin and his consort Tuanku Nur Zahirah will make a four-day visit to Vietnam
from Thursday at the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet.

Their royal couple will be accompanied by Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed
who will be acting as the Minister-in-Attendance and several other senior
government officials.

According a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, the King will be given
State Welcome at the Presidential Palace and thereafter have an audience with
the Vietnamese President.

His Majesty will later hold a meeting with the General Secretary of the
Vietnamese Communist Party Non Duc Manh.

In the evening, Their Majesties will be hosted to a State Banquet by the
Vietnamese President at the Government Guest House.

While in Hanoi, Their Majesties will also be visiting several places of
interest apart from meeting the Malaysian community.

The State Visit of Their Majesties to Vietnam symbolises the warm and close
ties of friendship between the two countries and will cement the existing close
relationship and understanding between Malaysia and Vietnam, the statement said.
-- BERNAMA