Georgia - US President George W Bush planned to meet with four Vietnamese-American democracy advocates on Tuesday to underscore his concerns about repression in Vietnam, the White House said.

"The United States has been concerned by the increasing incidence of arrest and detention of political activists in Vietnam for activities well within their right to peaceful expression of political thought," said national security spokesperson Gordon Johndroe.

"As Vietnam's economy and society reform and move forward, such repression of individuals for their views is anachronistic and out of keeping with Vietnam's desire to prosper, modernize, and take a more prominent role in world affairs," he said.

Bush was to meet with Cong Thanh Do, founding member, People's Democratic Party of Vietnam; Diem Do, chair, Vietnam Reform Party; Nguyen Le Minh, chair, Vietnam Human Rights Network; Quan Nguyen, chair, International Committee For Freedom To Support The Non-Violent Movement For Human Rights In Vietnam, said Johndroe.

The meeting at the White House was "to discuss the best way the international community can support efforts to promote greater freedom and openness in Vietnam," Johndroe said.