Russian President Vladimir Putin has just concluded his State visit to Vietnam, reaffirming the special closeness between the two countries and demonstrating the multipolar trend in Vietnam's international relations.
This marks the fifth visit of the Russian leader to Vietnam, with previous visits in 2001, 2006, 2013, and 2017.
The visit comes amid the strong development of the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. Strengthening this strategic partnership is a key priority in Russia's foreign policy in Southeast Asia.
The meeting at the Party Central Committee headquarters on the afternoon of June 20 between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Pham Hai
Vietnam is highly integrated economically, having established trade relations with 224 partners and cooperating with over 500 international organizations. The country has signed more than 90 bilateral trade agreements, around 60 agreements to promote and protect mutual investment, and participates in 17 free trade agreements (FTAs).
Vietnam is also one of the fastest-growing and most promising digital economies in the region, with an annual growth rate of 38% and the potential to become the second-largest digital economy in Southeast Asia by 2025.
Vietnam pursues an independent foreign policy based on self-determination, peace, cooperation, development, and international integration. Its contributions in international forums help consolidate its position, attracting global support for its national interests, including human rights and gender equality.
Currently, Vietnam maintains comprehensive strategic partnerships with seven countries: Russia, China, India, South Korea, Japan, the United States, and Australia. During a phone call with the Russian leader, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that Vietnam highly values the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.
Vietnam-Russia: A traditional relationship
President To Lam and President Putin review the honor guard. Photo: Pham Hai.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong once said: “The traditional friendship between Vietnam and Russia has a long history, founded by President Ho Chi Minh, and nurtured by many generations of leaders and people of the two countries. The Vietnamese people will forever be grateful to the people of the Soviet Union, including the people of Russia, for their sincere, great, and effective assistance in the past struggle for national liberation and for their effective cooperation in the cause of national construction and defense today.”
2024 marks 30 years since the signing of the Treaty on the Fundamental Principles of Friendly Relations and 12 years since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Russia.
Since then, relations between Vietnam and Russia have continuously strengthened. Bilateral cooperation has developed rapidly, with regular dialogue at all levels and coordination in international forums.
In recent years, the leaders of the two countries have exchanged numerous visits. Vietnam is the only country in Southeast Asia that the Russian President has visited six times (five by Putin, once by Dmitry Medvedev in 2010). Russia has also hosted many high-ranking Vietnamese leaders.
The two countries maintain in-depth political dialogue at the highest level, as well as close contact between ministries and sectors, effectively implementing agreements and responding to challenges.
Vietnam and Russia share similar views on many international and regional issues, closely coordinating actions and supporting each other in international organizations such as the United Nations, APEC, ASEM, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
Russia supports Vietnam's viewpoint of resolving disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, without using or threatening force, based on international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and early conclusion of negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
The comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia encompasses trade, economy, energy, defense, security, education, science, technology, culture, and humanitarian affairs.
Vietnam is Russia's leading trade partner among ASEAN countries, with trade turnover between the two countries expected to reach $3.6 billion in 2023, a 2.3% increase from 2022.
Investment cooperation is also strengthening. The Russia-Vietnam High-Level Working Group on Priority Investment Projects operates smoothly, focusing on joint business initiatives in energy, mechanical engineering, and agriculture.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Russian President Putin. Photo: Pham Hai
One of the pillars of the Russia-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership is cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, particularly in oil and gas exploration and production. Specialized associations such as Gazprom, Zarubezhneft, Rosneft, and Petrovietnam are successfully implementing joint projects in Russia and Vietnam. Both sides are exploring new areas of cooperation, including clean energy and information and communications technology.
Vietnam and Russia also have a long tradition of cooperation in defense, security, and professional training for Vietnamese military personnel at Russian specialized universities.
Relations in education and science have developed successfully, with the Vietnam-Russia Joint Tropical Research and Technology Center being a unique facility. The center's achievements in materials science, tropical durability, medicine, and ecology are of significant scientific and practical importance.
Regular exchanges in culture, sports, and tourism facilitate the travel and legitimate work activities of citizens from both countries.
Looking ahead
In the coming years, Vietnam-Russia relations may reach new heights. The two sides aim to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations amidst global challenges, leveraging the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, particularly in sectors like oil and gas, energy, tourism, education, and science and technology.
In addition to traditional fields, Russia is interested in cooperating with Vietnam in new areas, mainly in green energy.
Hoang Viet
(Lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, member of the Research Board on Sea and Island Law, Vietnam Bar Federation.)
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
