Russian experts have said 2018 was a fruitful year for the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin in August 2018.

Professor Vladimir Kolotov, Director of Ho Chi Minh Institute under St. Petersburg State University, said the thriving relationship was boosted by the visit to Russia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong in September, as well as Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Vietnam in November.

The Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement lifted trade and economic ties between Vietnam and Russia, he said, noting that the two countries have made significant steps in efforts to raise bilateral trade revenue. 

Businesspeople from Russian cities came to Vietnam to introduce their products. Meanwhile, delegations of Vietnamese enterprises visited Russia to seek cooperation and investment opportunities. 

The partnership in military technology between the two countries has also made progress, with notable events like the June visit to the south central province of Khanh Hoa by a Russian Pacific Fleet detachment. 

During the fourth defence strategy dialogue in Moscow in December, Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh stressed Russia has been, and will always be Vietnam’s trustworthy ally and partner. 

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu also highlighted the special relationship between the two countries. 

In education, four Russian universities have been awarded with Vietnam’s Friendship Order, namely Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow State Linguistic University, RANEPA Institute of Public Administration and Civil Service and National Research Nuclear University MEPhI. 

Although Vietnam cancelled a project to build a nuclear power plant, the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI is still helping the country train experts in the nuclear field.

In 2018, Vietnamese in Moscow and Russian friends held a festival to commemorate the death anniversary of the Hung Kings for the first time, which is expected be observed annually not only in the Russian capital but on a larger scale in the future. 

The first Russia-Vietnam Youth Forum took place in St. Petersburg earlier this month, along with activities marking the 95th year since President Ho Chi Minh (then Nguyen Ai Quoc) set foot in Russia for the first time (June 30-1923-2018).

Prof. Kolotov and other Russian experts believe the bilateral relationship will be enhanced in 2019.-VNA