US, Vietnam agree to deepen ties as Biden visits

US President Joe Biden hailed closer ties with Vietnam on Sunday as the two countries struck a deal to deepen relations and cooperation on strategic supplies in the face of growing competition from China.

Biden flew from the G20 summit in New Delhi to meet the leader of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, to sign off on a "comprehensive strategic partnership", Hanoi's highest level of diplomatic ties.