At a ceremony at the Government Office here, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of documents on various types of cooperation which had been signed earlier.

Foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah exchanged a letter of intent on cooperation in diplomatic training with his Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son, while a similar exchange of documents was held with Vietnam labour minister Dao Ngoc Dung on the recruitment and repatriation of workers.

Attorney-General Idrus Harun exchanged documents on cooperation in legal matters with Vietnam law minister Le Thanh Long.

Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) editor-in-chief Khairdzir Md Yunus and Vietnam News Agency (VNA) general director Vu Viet Trang also agreed to cooperate on news and photo exchange, technical expertise and training.

The two prime ministers had earlier led their delegations in meetings where they discussed cooperation in trade and economy, regional and international issues as well as efforts to enhance bilateral ties.

Ismail spoke in Malay throughout the meeting, which lasted almost two hours, and it was translated to English.

The two leaders and their delegations then attended lunch, which was hosted by Pham at the Government Office.

Ismail, who is on a two-day official visit to Vietnam, was given a red carpet welcome at the presidential palace here this morning where he was greeted on arrival by Pham.

In the afternoon, the prime minister called on Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and had meetings with Communist Party of Vietnam general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and national assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

The prime minister is making his maiden visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Pham.

Ismail, who arrived yesterday, is scheduled to return to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.