HÀ NỘI — The US completely lifts arms embargo on sales of lethal weapons to Việt Nam, announced President Barack Obama who is on the first day of three-day official visit to the country.

The information was released at a press conference in Hà Nội following his talks with President Trần Đại Quang, according to Việt Nam News reporter.

During their meeting this morning after a State welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the two leaders witnessed the signing of co-operative agreements and hold a news conference.

Also today, Obama will meet Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

Obama on Tuesday plans to meet with businessmen, youth and civil-society leaders. He will then give a speech on US-Việt Nam relations before flying to HCM City.

While there, he will visit the city’s Jade Pagoda in District 1 and hold events highlighting the importance of business and entrepreneurship and a town hall with Southeast Asian youth.

Obama is the third consecutive US president to visit Việt Nam, following Bill Clinton in 2000 and George W. Bush in 2006.

US President Barack Obama’s visit to Việt Nam is set to further deepen the Việt Nam-US comprehensive partnership, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Phạm Quang Vinh said in a recent interview to the Vietnam News Agency.

For security purposes, some 30 streets from Nội Bài International Airport to the city centre are restricted today and tomorrow during the US president’s visit to Việt Nam, the Hà Nội Police announced.

The Hà Nội Police said from 9am to 10 pm today and from 9am to 2pm tomorrow, trucks with load of over 500kg, coaches and taxis, except those buses, emergency vehicles and coaches running on fixed routes, are banned from entering the streets where Obama’s entourage will travel through.

Personal cars and motorbikes are also restricted from travelingl on the following streets -- Võ Văn Kiệt, Võ Nguyên Giáp, Phạm Hùng and Phạm Văn Đồng, as well as Trần Duy Hưng, Nguyễn Chí Thanh, Kim Mã and Nguyễn Thái Học. Entry is also restricted on Chu Văn An, Trần Phú, Điện Biên Phủ and Độc Lập, as well as Hoàng Văn Thụ, Hoàng Diệu, Lê Hồng Phong and Nhật Tân Bridge, and Võ Chí Công.

Ring road 2, Tôn Đức Thắng, Nguyễn Lương Bằng and Lê Văn Lương, as well as Láng Hạ, Khuất Duy Tiến, Thăng Long Boulevard, and Đỗ Đức Dục and Miếu Đàm have also been blocked to commuters. — VNS