During his visit to Russia to attend the ASEAN-Russia commemorative summit marking 35 years of relations, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan, in Kazan on June 16 (local time).

Minnikhanov said it was an honor to welcome Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and the Vietnamese delegation, which included leaders from multiple ministries and agencies, to Kazan. He expressed confidence that the visit would create new opportunities for cooperation between Tatarstan and Vietnam, as well as between Russia and Vietnam more broadly.

The Tatarstan leader noted that cooperation between localities in the two countries has become increasingly dynamic in recent years. However, he said the scale of engagement and its contribution to economic and trade development have yet to match the potential and demand of both sides, leaving significant room for more effective cooperation.

Tatarstan is home to several key industries, including Kamaz truck manufacturing, chemicals, civil aviation, petrochemicals, textiles and furniture production. The republic has also focused on developing small and medium-sized enterprises and industrial parks in the information technology sector, creating jobs for more than 45,000 people and generating annual revenue of US$10 billion.

Minnikhanov said Tatarstan hopes to establish partnerships with Vietnamese localities, not only to share its development model but also to connect businesses and explore cooperation opportunities.

Expressing his desire to welcome more Vietnamese visitors to Tatarstan and strengthen mutual understanding between the peoples of Russia and Vietnam, Minnikhanov proposed that Vietnam consider opening a Consulate General in Kazan.

Favorable conditions for Tatarstan businesses in Vietnam

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said he was pleased to visit Kazan and commended Tatarstan's thorough preparations for the large-scale ASEAN-Russia summit, which brought together a wide range of leaders and experts from participating countries.

He expressed confidence that the summit would provide fresh momentum for advancing the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership and strengthening relations between Russia and ASEAN member states, including Vietnam.

The Prime Minister congratulated Tatarstan's leadership and people on their achievements in socio-economic development and improving living standards. He reaffirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to its traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia and wishes to maintain and strengthen cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of both nations, as well as for regional and global stability and development.

Hung recalled that during General Secretary To Lam's official visit to Russia and attendance at celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War in May 2025, the two countries' top leaders reached a shared understanding and demonstrated a strong determination to comprehensively elevate mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in all fields, in line with the demands of a new era of development.

Emphasizing the important role played by local authorities and businesses in that process, the prime minister said Vietnam is interested in expanding cooperation with Tatarstan's leading industrial enterprises. He reaffirmed the Vietnamese government's commitment to creating favorable conditions for Russian companies, including those from Tatarstan, to operate and invest in Vietnam on a long-term and stable basis.

Prime Minister Hung thanked the Tatarstan authorities and Minnikhanov personally for their continued attention and support for the Vietnamese community living in the republic. He also welcomed efforts to identify a suitable Vietnamese locality for establishing a partnership with Tatarstan and exploring cooperation opportunities in areas of shared strengths and interests, including trade, education, tourism and culture.

The Prime Minister encouraged airlines from both countries to consider launching additional commercial routes connecting Kazan and Hanoi.

Tran Thuong