Vietnam wants to complete a trade deal with the United States in May so it can join the World Trade Organisation this year, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said on Friday. Khai, who met a visiting U.S. congressional delegation led by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, asked the legislators for their support. "We in Vietnam want to conclude the negotiations in May," Khai told Reuters in an interview before meeting Hastert, the first House speaker to visit since the end of the U.S. war in Vietnam 31 years ago this month. "The negotiating teams are active but there remain some issues that need further discussions," Khai, 72, said through an interpreter. "I wish the U.S. House of Representatives can help Vietnam." Officials on both sides said they were close to a deal. Once there is agreement, Congress must vote on giving the communist-run country Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status.
