U.S. President Barack Obama held talks with the head of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, at the White House.

Nguyen's visit comes 40 years after the end of the Vietnam War and 20 years since Washington and Hanoi resumed diplomatic ties.

Obama has hailed the US-Vietnam ties as a constructive relationship based on mutual respect.

For his part, Nguyen noted the importance of the two countries having transformed from former enemies to comprehensive partners.

The two leaders touched upon the Trans-Pacific Partnership in their meeting and discussed such issues as human rights and freedom of religion.