Vietnamese president visits Washington

WASHINGTON, June 22 (UPI) -- Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet's visit to Washington continued Friday following a historic U.S.-Vietnam economic agreement.

Triet was to meet with U.S. President George Bush before heading to California.

Triet and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez witnessed the signing Thursday of a trade and investment agreement by trade officials from the two nations, the Thanh Nien News reported.

Also Thursday, companies in the two nations signed more than $1 billion in deals.

"We'll open our arms wide to welcome you," Triet said at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The Vietnamese president also admitted that there is "much to be desired" in his country's business atmosphere, the newspaper reported.

Deals announced Thursday involved Microsoft Corp., Agribank, FPT, CMC, Motorola Corp., the Vietnam Post, Telecommunications Corp., SSA Marine and Vinalines, Thanh Nien News reported.