HANOI, May 25, 2010(WAFA)- President  Mahmoud Abbas met his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Minh Triet in his official three-day visit to Vietnam starting May 24,  indicating positive developments in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Vietnam is optimistic regarding Palestine’s role in the recent efforts to revive the Middle East peace process and the proximity talks, according to the Abbas administration accompanying him.

President Triet welcomed Abbas by sharing the historic similarities between the two nations and stressing that Vietnam supports the Palestinian people’s struggle for their legitimate rights, including the right to self-determination and the right to establish a sovereign and independent Palestinian state.

During an official ceremony the Palestinian and Vietnamese national anthems were played.  Later Abbas placed a wreath of flowers on the tomb of the late President Ho Chi Menh.