Obama hosts Vietnam Communist Party chief at White House

US President Barack Obama has held talks at the White House with Vietnam's Communist Party leader, Nguyen Phu Trong. 

It is the first meeting between an American and a Vietnamese leader in twenty years. 

Mr Obama said that despite different political philosophies, the two countries are deepening co-operation. 

Analysts say the US and Vietnam are seeking stronger ties in the face of an increasingly assertive China. 

This month marks 40 years since the end of the Vietnam War. 

Mr Trong described the talks as cordial, constructive, positive and frank.

BBC