WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States has dropped Vietnam from its blacklist of nations that severely violate religious freedom, John Hanford, the State Department's ambassador for international religious freedom, said Monday.

    "This year, as a result of many positive steps taken by the government of Vietnam over the last two years, Vietnam was not redesignated," Hanford said.

    The announcement by the State Department was made just one day before a visit to the country by President George W. Bush.

    Bush and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are due to leave for Hanoi on Tuesday for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.

    Washington, which long pressured Vietnam to improve its human rights and religious rights record, has improved its ties with Hanoi in recent years.

    Last week, the U.S. government congratulated Hanoi for winning entry to the World Trade Organization, and urged Congress to enact regular trading ties with Vietnam.