The US is sending Tom Malinowski, the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, to Vietnam for a two-day trip, Reuters reports.
Malinowski is beginning his visit today (Monday) and is expected to push the Vietnamese government to release political prisoners and reforms it legislation.
The current trip is in preparation for President Barack Obama's visit in two weeks. That will be the first time a US president has visited Vietnam since 2006.