BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet said here Saturday that the Beijing Olympics marked a "new milestone in the Olympic history" and wished the Games a great success.

    In an interview with some Chinese media organizations, the president, who attended the opening ceremony Friday evening, said the ceremony was more beautiful and spectacular than he had expected.

    "The Chinese people should be proud of the ceremony, which has left a very good impression on me," he said.

    He said the ceremony offered an account of how the entire Chinese nation has developed, and China's successful preparation for the Games illustrated once again its superb organizational ability.

    The president wished the Beijing Olympiad a great success, noting that "the flames of the Beijing Olympics has kindled passions in everyone."

    On Vietnam-China relations, Triet said the ties have stood the test of time for generations, and become a valuable asset. "I am glad to see the further growth of these ties, " he added.

    Briefing the media on Vietnam's domestic situation, the president said over the past two decades, Vietnam has made historic achievements in its reform and opening-up.

    Since the beginning of 2008, however, a volatile world economy and some inadequacies in management on the part of the leadership has caused economic troubles for Vietnam, he said.

    The Vietnamese leadership has chosen to face up to economic difficulties, analyze their root causes, and take measures to tackle them, Triet said, noting that some measures are yielding positive results.

    "I'm confident that Vietnam will tide over the difficulties soon," the president said, urging the Chinese investors to maintain their confidence in his country.