Biden Visits McCain Memorial to Wrap Up Vietnam Trip

President Joe Biden on Monday wrapped up his trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, by paying respects to his late friend and former colleague Sen. John McCain at his memorial.

“I miss him, I miss him,” Biden said of the late Arizona Senator.

The memorial is located on the banks of a lake where McCain's A-4E Skyhawk was shot down during the Vietnam War in 1967. McCain spent five and a half years imprisoned in Hanoi and later became a central figure in improving diplomatic relations with Vietnam after being elected to the U.S. Senate.

The president was joined during his visit to the memorial by climate envoy and Vietnam veteran John Kerry. Biden placed a commemorative coin at the memorial, the White House said.

Biden visited Vietnam after participating in the G20 summit in New Delhi, and the two countries announced that its relationship has been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest diplomatic status awarded by Vietnam.