HANOI, June 22 — US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink today said during a visit to Hanoi that only Vietnam can decide how best to safeguard its sovereignty and advance its interests.

"We continue to believe that the U.S.-Vietnam partnership has never been stronger,” Kritenbrink said at an on-the-record media briefing for selected media, a recording of which was reviewed by Reuters.

Kritenbrink arrived in Hanoi on Friday on the heels of a visit to Vietnam by Russian President Vladimir Putin that was sharply criticised by Washington. — Reuters