US Condemns Vietnam's Activist Imprisonment Ahead of Blinken Visit.

The United States has condemned Vietnam's jailing of political activist Nguyen Lan Thang, just hours before Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Hanoi. Thang was sentenced to six years in prison for conducting anti-state activities. The US has urged Vietnam to release Thang and other individuals who remain in detention for peacefully exercising and promoting human rights. Vietnam has convicted at least 163 people since 2018 for exercising their rights to freedom of expression or association.