US Dep Sec of State: US-Vietnam partnership critical

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman visited Hanoi on Monday and held talks with her Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son.

During talks, Sherman hailed the U.S.-Vietnam partnership and said it was critical to ensure independence and prosperity for the Southeast Asian nation.

"We have great respect for each other's systems and our joint efforts are to build a better future for our people," Sherman said. Vietnam is the last stop on an Asia trip that has also taken her to South Korea, the Philippines and Laos to strengthen ties with the region.