In his first visit to Vietnam, the U.S. president was welcomed by Hanoians and Saigoneers in ways he's never seen before. Cheering crowds of Vietnamese waving flags, ready to snap a photo of Obama followed his every step.
Obama was everywhere. Pictures of the president flooded social media, advertising banners and the streets as people carried posters designed especially to greet him. From the very first moment he came to Hanoi, locals had been lining up the streets, waiting for hours to greet the president. His every actitity was tighly watched by the public with huge interest. Every place the president came attracted huge crowds no matter the weather or time of day.
"On this visit, my heart has been touched by the kindness for which the Vietnamese people are known for, and the many who have been lining the streets, smiling and waving, I feel the friendship between our peoples," Obama told a conference in Hanoi on May 23.
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Waiting for the president
to come to Saigon
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A poster near Jade Emperor
Pagoda which the president visited on May 24
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Thousands of people
welcome Obama in the streets of Ho Chi Minh City
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| Ha Noi people welcome Obama |
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| Welcome Obama-We love you! |
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| Ben Rhodes, U.S. Deputy
National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications & Speechwriting,
twits about Saigoneers welcoming Obama. |
