• Systolic blood pressure changes from baseline compared to endpoint (Wk 8) [ Time Frame: Week 8 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Diastolic and systolic blood pressure changes from baseline to various time points [ Time Frame: baseline to various time points ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Diastolic and systolic blood pressure response and control rates [ Time Frame: during treatment period ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Safety and tolerability of valsartan 80 mg plus amlodipine 5 mg and amlodipine 5 mg alone. [ Time Frame: during treatment period ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

• Systolic blood pressure changes from baseline compared to endpoint (Wk 8)
• Diastolic and systolic blood pressure changes from baseline to various time points
• Diastolic and systolic blood pressure response and control rates
• Safety and tolerability of valsartan 80 mg plus amlodipine 5 mg and amlodipine 5 mg alone.

This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the fixed combination of valsartan/amlodipine in adult patients with mild to moderate hypertension

• Drug: Valsartan plus amlodipine
• Drug: Amlodipine

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female outpatients >= 18 years and < 86 years
• Patients with essential diastolic hypertension
• At visit 1, the patient must have mean sitting diastolic blood pressure >= 95 mmHg and < 10 mmHg
• patients treated with antihypertensive medication must have a mean sitting diastolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg
• At visit 2, patients must have a mean sitting diastolic blood pressure of >= 95 mmHg and < 100 mmHg
• At visit 3, patients must have a mean sitting diastolic blood pressure of >= 90 mmHg and < 110 mmHg

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe hypertension >= 180/110 mmHg
• Known or suspected contraindications, including a history of allergy or hypersensitivity to valsartan or amlodipine or to other drugs with similar chemical structures
• Inability to discontinue all prior antihypertensive medications safely for a maximum period of up to 28 days prior to Visit 2
• History of hypertensive encephalopathy, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction or other types of revascularization
• Malignant hypertension
• All patients with Type I diabetes and those patients with Type 2 diabetes who are not well controlled based on the investigator's clinical judgment
• Pregnant or nursing women
• History of heart failure
• Angina pectoris
• Second or third degree heart block
• Life threatening or symptomatic arrhythmias
• Clinically significant valvular heart disease
• Evidence of a secondary form of hypertension
• Known or moderate malignant retinopathy
• Evidence of hepatic disease
• Evidence of renal impairment Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria may apply.