Irish President Michael D. Higgins delivered a speech at a state dinner in Dublin on October 2 in honour of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam on the occasion of the top Vietnamese leader's state visit to Ireland.

The Irish Government considers Vietnam an important partner in the region and wishes to enhance multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in trade, investment, education-training.

Irish President Michael D. Higgins tells the Vietnam News Agency that Ireland and Vietnam have the current challenge of forging an equitable growth model.