Vietnam recently broadened its anti-graft drive with a series of high-profile corporate arrests, including top stockbrokers, property developers and even regulators.

Chinh's trip comes on the heels of a visit by President Biden to Hanoi during which the two leaders announced improved bilateral relations and plans to deepen cooperation in several areas.

Vietnam and the US upgraded their relationship to the highest diplomatic status during a visit to Hanoi by US President Joe Biden.

Vietnam is navigating frosty relations between Washington and Beijing as the tech and textile exporter seeks its own foothold in the international competition to be a low-cost manufacturing hub.

The visit comes as trade and investment ties between the two nations are growing and a long-simmering territorial dispute between Vietnam and China heats up in the South China Sea.

Vietnam was the world's third-largest rice exporter last year after India and Thailand, and the Philippines is its largest buyer.

Fearful of the potential reaction from its much larger neighbour, Vietnam had initially expressed caution about the upgrade.

Fearful of the potential reaction from its much larger neighbour, Vietnam had initially expressed caution about the upgrade.

This is the first confirmation of rice prices climbing in the wake of India's surprise ban, with importers paying more for one of the world's most widely consumed staples amid tightening supplies.

Vietnam is stepping up a crackdown on media, with plans also to limit social media accounts that post news-related content, which the government says mislead readers into thinking they are authorised news outlets.

The approval of the vaccines could pave the way for possible sales abroad, a major breakthrough to tackle the deadly animal disease that regularly ravages pig farms worldwide.

Marius Draghici was sentenced to 12 years and seven months at London's Old Bailey, having last month pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the 39 people in October 2019.