Vladimir Putin arrives in Vietnam followingNorth Korea visit | BBC News

The leaders of Vietnam and Russia, President To Lamand President Vladimir Putin, have said they want toboost ties as the pair met in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.

To Lam was full of praise for his Russian counterpart,congratulating him on his recent re-election.

Mr Putin, in return, said strengthening a strategichpartnership with the south-east Asian country was one of Russia's priorities.

His trip to Vietnam, which comes on the heels of hislavish visit to North Korea, is being interpreted as ademonstration of the diplomatic support Russia still enjoys in the region.