Putin to address Vietnamese people

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, who's on a two-day visit to Vietnam, has held talks with the Communist party leader, Le Kha Phieu.

Mr Phieu told Mr Putin his visit would improve relations between the two countries, and he considered Russia a strategic partner.

President Putin was due to make a live televised address to the Vietnamese people later today Friday.

An agreement on strategic co-operation has already been signed, and Mr Putin has said Russia is ready to help Vietnam modernise its armed forces by supplying it with modern weapons. The BBC Hanoi correspondent says the two countries are keen to increase trade, especially in oil and gas.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service