Japanese royal couple begin visit to Vietnam

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino (centre) and Crown Princess Kiko (centre left) visit Van Mieu, a temple dedicated to ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, in Hanoi on Sept 21, 2023. - AFP

HANOI (AFP): Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko were welcomed on Thursday (Sept 21) in Hanoi by lines of flag-waving schoolchildren, as they began a visit marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The royal couple laid wreaths at the mausoleum of late president Ho Chi Minh, before heading to the former home -- a traditional stilt house -- of the revolutionary leader and feeding fish in a pond outside.