The 11^th round of human rights talks between Vietnam and the US was held in Hanoi on February 20.

Speaking with media workers after the talks, Barry Lowenkron, US Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour and head of the US delegation, said that Vietnam has made progress in religious freedom. During the talks, the two sides exchanged views on human rights, the criminal law, religious freedom, ethnicity, security and discrimination.

He said that talks with Vietnamese officials took place in an open and frank atmosphere and hoped that they would produce practical outcomes in the end. He said that he will continue negotiating efforts with the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington and that he will return to Hanoi to promote these efforts.

The two sides agreed to continue following rounds of talks at an appropriate time.