Ho Chi Minh: President Pranab Mukherjee reached the business capital of Vietnam on the second leg of his four-day visit during which he will visit various historic sites, attend a cultural programme and meet the local Indian community.
Mukherjee was received at the airport by People's Committee vice chairman Le Manh Ha and other local dignitaries. He straightaway proceeded to the War Remnants Museum. He will attend a Indian community reception hosted by Indian Ambassador Preeti Saran and view a cultural programme at the Opera House.
A banquet will be hosted in his honour by Vietnamese Communist Party's Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee secretary.
On Wednesday morning, he will visit the Cu Chi tunnels before flying back to India.
According to informed sources, President Mukherjee was keen to visit the erstwhile Saigon, since on his last visit to Vietnam, in May 2011 as union finance minister, he had only visited Ho Chi Minh city.
Also with the capital of the former South Vietnam being a major economic and industrial hub, and economic relations a key segment of Indian-Vietnamese relations, it was important to visit the city, the source said.
