US President Joe Biden speaks during a Juneteenth concert on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, June 13, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he would be traveling to Vietnam "shortly" because the country wanted to elevate its relationship with the United States and become a major partner.

Biden made the remarks while speaking at a political fundraiser in New Mexico.

At a meeting in April, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed a desire to deepen ties as Washington seeks to solidify relations with partners in Asia

Asked about Biden's announcement, a White House spokesperson said there was "nothing further to share at this time."

At a meeting in April, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed a desire to deepen ties as Washington seeks to solidify relations with partners in Asia.

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Blinken had expressed the hope then that this could happen "in the weeks and months ahead."

Washington has been working to elevate ties with Hanoi to a "strategic" partnership from one that for the past decade has been called "comprehensive".

Officials have not said what the closer relationship might entail, but experts say it could include increased military cooperation and US weapons supplies.

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Washington and US defense firms have openly said they want to bolster military supplies to Vietnam - so far largely limited to coastguard ships and training aircraft.