(VOVworld) - David Sapterstein, Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, and a delegation from the US State Department made a fact-finding tour off Vietnam this week.

They had working sessions in the Central Highlands provinces of Kon Tum and Gia Lai, where they learned about support given to local residents and religious organizations. They were informed that religious organizations have worked with local administrations on charitable activities to improve the living conditions of local people, especially poor, ethnic minority households. In Hanoi, Sapterstein was received by Deputy Minister of Public Security To Lam, who said he believes the visit will give the two countries a deeper understanding of human rights and religious affairs.