    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [November 17, 2006]
    [Page 2096]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With President Nguyen Minh Triet of Vietnam in Hanoi
    November 17, 2006

        Mr. President, thank you very much for your hospitality. Laura and I have been struck by the friendliness of the
    people of Vietnam. In our drive through this beautiful city, we were
    pleased to see thousands of your citizens with smiles on their faces.
    And we're so grateful.
        I've been reading and studying about your country, and I have seen
    now firsthand the great vibrancy and the excitement that's taking place
    in Vietnam. You're like a young tiger, and I look forward to continuing
    to work to make sure our bilateral relations are close. And thank you
    for hosting APEC. And thank you for hosting a dinner for us tonight.
    We're really looking forward to it.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:35 p.m. at the Presidential Palace. A
    portion of these remarks could not be verified because the tape was
    incomplete.