US human rights report on Vietnam 'unobjective'

"Even though the annual U.S. Country Report on Human Rights Practices has actively reflected the achievement and progress of Vietnam in ensuring human rights, regrettably it has put forth a number of unobjective assessments based on inaccurate information on the real situation in Vietnam," spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said at a regular press meet.

The U.S. Department of State issued its human rights report on Vietnam three days prior, with contents including assessments of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Hang said Vietnam’s consistent stance is to protect and promote human rights, treating human beings as the centerpiece and the drive for innovation and the country’s development.

The basic rights and freedoms of people have been acknowledged in the Constitution, and are protected and promoted on both legal documents and in reality.

"Vietnam has been and will continue to have candid, open and constructive sessions with the U.S. on our differences to increase understanding and further actively contribute to the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries."

In a recent session by the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said Vietnam’s economy grew by 5% last year, with the rate of poor households dropping to 3%. The country also spends 3% of its GDP annually on average for social security. Last year, Vietnam also exported over 8 million tons of rice, helping to ensure food security for millions of people around the world, he added.