The US completely lifts arms embargo on sales of lethal weapons to Vietnam, announced President Barack Obama who is on the first day of three-day official visit to the country.

The Presidents of Vietnam and the US at the press conference this morning.

The information was released at a press conference in Hanoi following his talks with President Tran Dai Quang.

During their meeting this morning after a State welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the two leaders witnessed the signing of co-operative agreements and hold a news conference.

Also today, Obama will meet Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

Obama on Tuesday plans to meet with businessmen, youth and civil-society leaders. He will then give a speech on US-Vietnam relations before flying to HCM City.

While there, he will visit the city’s Jade Pagoda in District 1 and hold events highlighting the importance of business and entrepreneurship and a town hall with Southeast Asian youth.

Obama is the third consecutive US president to visit Vietnam, following Bill Clinton in 2000 and George W. Bush in 2006.

US President Barack Obama’s visit to Vietnam is set to further deepen the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh said in a recent interview to the Vietnam News Agency.

For security purposes, some 30 streets from Noi Bai International Airport to the city centre are restricted today and tomorrow during the US president’s visit to Vietnam, the Hanoi Police announced.

The Hanoi Police said from 9am to 10 pm today and from 9am to 2pm tomorrow, trucks with load of over 500kg, coaches and taxis, except those buses, emergency vehicles and coaches running on fixed routes, are banned from entering the streets where Obama’s entourage will travel through.

Personal cars and motorbikes are also restricted from travelingl on the following streets – Vo Van Kiet, Vo Nguyen Giap, Pham Hung and Pham Van Dong, as well as Tran Duy Hung, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Kim Ma and Nguyen Thai Hoc.

Entry is also restricted on Chu Van An, Tran Phu, Dien Bien Phu and Doc Lap, as well as Hoang Van Thu, Hoang Dieu, Le Hong Phong and Nhat Tan Bridge, and Vo Chi Cong.

Ring road 2, Ton Duc Thang, Nguyen Luong Bang and Le Van Luong, as well as Lang Ha, Khuat Duy Tien, Thang Long Boulevard, and Do Duc Duc and Mieu Dam have also been blocked to commuters.

VNS