• Vietnam, US hold human rights dialogue in Washington

• Vietnam attends 16th session of UN Human Rights Council

More than 80 high-level representatives and ministers from member countries and international organizations are expected to attend the meeting, scheduled for more than three weeks, from February 27 to March 23.

The Vietnamese delegation is led by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Le Luong Minh.

The human rights situation in several countries, including Libya and Syria, will be high on the Council's agenda.

Nine panel discussions will focus on issues such as the relationship between sport and human rights, freedom of expression on the internet, discriminatory practices in connection with sexual orientation and gender identity, among others.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Viet Nam has held talks with several countries to prepare for the country's nomination to the Human Rights Council term 2013-2016.