Modi visits historic Pagoda temple, Ho Chi Minh's stilt house

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Pagoda temple and the stilt house where revered leader Ho Chi Minh lived Modi said Vietnam was an inspiration for everyone to shun violence and follow Buddha's path of peace and harmony He said he is fortunate to visit the Pagoda temple after first President Rajendra Prasad in 1959

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited the historic Pagoda temple and the stilt house where revered leader Ho Chi Minh lived, apart from enjoying fishing with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Vietnam.

Addressing Buddhist monks at the temple, Modi said Vietnam was an inspiration for everyone to shun violence and follow Buddha's path of peace and harmony."World should walk on the path of peace that brings happiness and prosperity, while war only brings transient greatness," the prime minister said.

Modi's visit to Vietnam- the first by an Indian premier in 15 years - is to "nurture a relationship between our two societies and nations." He further said that  the advent of Buddhism from India to Vietnam and the monuments of Vietnam's Hindu Cham temples stand testimony to these bonds."

He also said, "some people came here with the objective of war. We came here with a message of peace which has endured," Modi said. He further invited all the monks to visit India - the land of Buddha - and especially to Varanasi which he represents in the Indian Parliament.

He said he is fortunate to visit the Pagoda temple after first President Rajendra Prasad in 1959. The Quan Su Pagoda, also known as Ambassador's pagoda, is said to have served emissaries that were sent from Champa and Laos to Vietnam in the past. The pagodas - a Buddhist heritage and popular toursit sites - are at the heart of Vietnamese Buddhism and are a precious treasure of Hanoi.

 The pagoda is said to have served emissaries that were sent from Champa and Laos to Vietnam in the past. Earlier today, Modi visited Ho Chi Minh's stilt house at the majestic presidential palace. He was accompanied by Premier Phuc and thanked him for his generous welcome.

"Earlier this morning, you made the special gesture of personally showing me Ho Chi Minh's house... Thank you, Excellency, for extending me the privilege. Let me also congratulate the people of Vietnam on their national day that you celebrated yesterday," he said. The stilt house was the residence of Ho Chi Minh from 1958 until his death in 1969 and is located inside the majestic Presidential Palace in Hanoi.