Putin ends Vietnam trip

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has ended a two-day visit to Vietnam during which both countries agreed to boost military and economic co-operation.

Speaking before his departure, Mr Putin said his trip had exceeded all expectations.

Earlier in a speech shown live on television, Mr Putin praised Vietnam's policy of doimoi, or renovation saying it had delivered clear economic benefits for its people.

Officials are describing Mr Putin's visit as a complete success but the BBC Hanoi correspondent says the Vietnamese public has showed less interest in Mr Putin's trip compared to that of President Clinton's last year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service