President of the United States left Hanoi for Ho Chi Minh City yesterday afternoon during his three day visit to Vietnam and was present at Tan Son Nhat International Airport at about 4 p.m.
Chairwoman of the city People’s Council Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem and U.S. consul general to HCMC Rena Bitter received President Obama at the airport.
The first destination of the US president in HCMC was Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor) Pagoda or Phuoc Hai Tu in Mai Thi Luu street, District 1.
Ngoc Hoang Pagoda was built in 1892 over 2,000 square meters, being home to many ancient trees, turtle and fish ponds and hundreds of pigeons.
The pagoda has three main altar compartments, over 300 statues and many skillfully carved sacred objects. Ngoc Hoang Pagoda was recognized to be national architectural and artistic relic in 1994.
On the same day afternoon, President Obama met with Vietnamese start-up community at Miss Ao Dai Building in District 1. He expressed impression to the city’s development while delivering a speech at the event.
The city always respected the history but also headed towards future, he said.
Afterwards, he talked to three representatives of start up entrepreneurs about challenges and opportunities to start up business in Vietnam such as capital problems, difficulties for female entrepreneurs and Government assistances.
At the meeting, he underlined the strength of business saying startup comprise idea and human with the later being the most important factor. Previously, he toured the stall showcasing products created by Vietnamese young businesses at the building.
This morning, he will talk to YSEALL members at GEM Center in District 1 and leave the city at noon for G7 Submit Japan.
Mr. Obama visits Ngoc Hoang Pagoda (Photo: SGGP)
