Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Nov. 18 (VNA) -- President William Jefferson Clinton of the United States of America, his wife and his entourage left Ha Noi for Ho Chi Minh City this evening, Nov. 18.

A farewell ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi in the presence of President Tran Duc Luong and his wife and other senior officials of the State, the Government, the National Assembly and Ha Noi.

Speaking at the function, President Clinton thanked President Luong and his wife, the State, the Government and the people of Viet Nam for their ceremonial welcome and said he had formed a fine impression of Viet Nam while visiting Ha Noi.

Both President Tran Duc Luong and President W. J. Clinton described the visit as a new step toward the enhancement of Viet Nam-US relations. They believed the visit would be a milestone in the long-lasting friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries, based on the principle of mutual respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and each other's relations with other countries, equality and mutual benefit and contributions to peace, security and stability in Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific and the world.--VNA