The central Hoan Kiem Lake region of Hanoi, which was crowded with families outside for a weekend stroll, was decorated with American and Asian flags prior to the 80-year-old US president’s arrival.
T-shirts with Biden’s encounter emblazoned across the front were sold in a souvenir shop outside in the old district of the city.
Owner of the store, 61-year-old Truong Thanh Duc, said,” I think the US is a great companion to Vietnam.”
” I believe President Joe Biden will bring more business agreements and jobs to Asian people with this check-out.”
HUMAN RIGHTS
Biden will remain balancing corporate objectives with the defense of animal rights in Vietnam. According to Human Rights Watch, government critics are subjected to intimidation, harassment, and imprisonment following harsh trials. There have also been reports of police using torture to coerce confessions.
Protestors worry that the president won’t bring up Vietnam even though he has frequently criticized China’s record on human rights.
Prior to the journey, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan predicted that Biden may bring up issues pertaining to” freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and other fundamental human rights.”
His visit comes shortly after Vietnam was harshly criticized for” severe, continued, and comprehensive violations” by a US government percentage on spiritual freedom.
A religious liberty activist and professional in law who was given an 11-year prison term for corruption in 2018 announced on Facebook on Saturday that he had been freed and was now able to visit Germany with his wife. Due to US national visits, Vietnam frequently frees political prisoners.
Following the G20 summit, where officials came to an agreement on a joint statement addressing climate change and resolving significant differences over the war in Ukraine, Biden’s visit follows. This resolve avoided criticizing Moscow directly and made no explicit commitment to phase out polluting fossil fuels.
A visit to the remembrance of his pal John McCain, a former US senator who was shot down and held captive during the Vietnam War but afterwards helped to mend ties between the two nations, will also be included in his trip to Vietnam.