New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS): Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's visit to India will further consolidate the special relationship shared by the two countries, President Pranab Mukherjee said Wednesday.

During their interaction, when the President met Dung Tuesday, Mukherjee said he was delighted to welcome Dung on his second state visit to India.

The visit will open up new areas of mutual assistance, cooperation and collaboration between the two countries, Mukherjee said, according to a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement.

Adding that he was pleased with his visit to Vietnam last Month, Mukherjee hoped that Dung's visit to the holy town of Bodh Gaya and the Mahabodhi temple was successful.

Mukherjee said: "Buddhism symbolises the shared cultural heritage of the peoples of India and Vietnam."

"The Vietnamese prime minister warmly reciprocated the president's sentiments and said Vietnam was keen to work with India in taking the relationship to greater heights," the statement added.

Dung, who is on a two-day official visit to India, reached Bodh Gaya in Bihar Monday.