Vietnamese leader meets John Key

Vietnam's senior leader Nong Duc Manh welcomed with a hongi. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Vietnam's senior leader Nong Duc Manh was welcomed amid pomp and ceremony at Parliament this morning.

Following a traditional Maori challenge which had Mr Manh, the General Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, looking slightly worried, Prime Minister John Key and Speaker Lockwood Smith welcomed him.

They chatted about the beautiful Wellington weather and the unusually shaped Beehive before the Vietnamese leader inspected the troops and stood with his delegation and New Zealand politicians while both countries anthems were played by a military band.

An official lunch will be held in Parliament's banquet hall after a meeting with Mr Key.

The large Vietnamese delegation contained several ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

"Vietnam is one of the most impressive economic performers in South East Asia and it has staved off the effects of the global downturn better than most," Mr Key said earlier in the week.

"Vietnam's GDP growth figures over the past decade have been stellar and it is becoming an increasingly important trading partner for New Zealand."

The two countries were hoping to work more closely in areas such as education, science and technology.

"We welcome these growing links and see the relationship between our two countries offering great potential to both sides."

Mr Manh arrived in Auckland yesterday.

- NZPA