Vietnam no longer "restricts religious freedom"

The US has announced that it has removed Vietnam from its list of nations that it claims restrict religious freedoms.

The announcement of the Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), which is published each year, comes just a week before George W Bush heads to the country for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.

It is thought that the decision has been made following signs of increasing religious tolerance in the country, although it is thought that both Christian and Buddhist groups in Vietnam still face a degree of harassment.

The country's foreign ministry spokesman, Le Dung, welcomed the decision.

He said in a statement: "It is a correct decision which accurately reflects reality in Vietnam in accordance with the principles in the Vietnam-US relationship and positive progress."

The CPC list retains the countries of Sudan, Burma, Iran, Saudi Arabia, China and North Korea, while Uzbekistan has been added over fears that Muslims are facing persecution.