Myanmar leader begins Vietnam trip with visit to defence-telecom group

On the first day of his three-day visit, Min Aung Hlaing is expected to meet executives of Viettel, a telecommunications and defence corporation owned by Vietnam's defence ministry, said two people briefed on the matter.

Viettel has telecoms operations in Myanmar. Its defence unit produces drones and other military equipment that could be discussed during the visit, one of the people said.

Myanmar's embassy in Vietnam, Viettel and the Vietnamese government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Also on Friday, Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to visit a factory in northern Vietnam producing VinFast VFS.O electric vehicles, a VinFast spokesperson said. VinFast has targeted Asian countries for its international expansion and set up car assembly plants in Indonesia and India.

Myanmar and Vietnam should strengthen political and economic cooperation in the near future, Vietnam’s ambassador to Myanmar, Nguyen Anh Duc, told the foreign ministry newspaper ahead of the visit. He said economic sectors to prioritise in bilateral cooperation included telecoms, EV manufacturing, agriculture and essential consumer goods.

Min Aung Hlaing will meet Vietnam's top leader, To Lam, during his visit and will attend a business forum, according to Myanmar state media.

The two are expected to sign non-binding cooperation agreements, including on fighting crime and promoting investment, said one person briefed on the matter.

HANOI, Sept. 4 (Reuters) - Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing visits Vietnam on Friday with meetings that include top telecommunications, defence and auto companies as the two countries seek to boost economic ties.