Friendship and tradition through historical ups and downs
The close relationship between the two nations was not established until 1950, but had been formed nearly three decades earlier, when President Ho Chi Minh left to seek a way to liberate the Vietnamese people from colonial rule. The Soviet Union played a huge role in shaping the revolutionary ideology of the international communist soldier Nguyen Ai Quoc. After many years of wandering to find a way to save the country, on June 30, 1923, leader Nguyen Ai Quoc set foot in the city of Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg) - the cradle of the great Russian October Revolution and he discovered the truth of the times, the Russian October Revolution opened the way to liberation for nations and all mankind, including the Vietnamese people. In the light of the Russian October Revolution, directly the Theses of VI Lenin on the national and colonial questions, he led the Vietnamese revolution along the path of proletarian revolution and laid a solid foundation for the Vietnam - Russia relationship.
The success of the August Revolution and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945 opened a new era, the era of national independence. However, immediately after that, our country had to face many difficulties and challenges in the resistance war against the colonial regime to protect the young independence. In that situation, on January 14, 1950, President Ho Chi Minh issued a "Declaration" to the governments of countries around the world: "The Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is the only legitimate Government of the entire Vietnamese people. Based on common interests, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is ready to establish diplomatic relations with the Government of any country that respects the equality, territorial sovereignty and national sovereignty of Vietnam, to jointly build peace and build world democracy" (1) .
Our Party also soon realized that "all victories of our Party and our people cannot be separated from the enthusiastic support of the Soviet Union". On January 23, 1950, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoang Minh Giam, on behalf of the Vietnamese Government, sent a note to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union, proposing that the two countries establish official diplomatic relations and exchange ambassadors. In response, on January 30, 1950, the Soviet Government officially announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and became one of the first countries to establish official diplomatic relations with Vietnam, demonstrating the solidarity and strong support of the Soviet Union for the just struggle of the Vietnamese people, as well as paving the way for recognition by other socialist countries.
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Soviet Union in 1950 amid the numerous difficulties of the resistance war against French colonialism was the beginning of a continuous and close cooperation that continues to this day. On March 10, 1952, President Ho Chi Minh signed a letter of credence appointing comrade Nguyen Luong Bang as the first Ambassador of Vietnam to the Soviet Union and Vietnam officially opened an embassy in Moscow (formerly the Soviet Union, today's Russia). After the complete liberation of the North, in July 1955, President Ho Chi Minh made his first official visit to the Soviet Union. The visit contributed to further strengthening the solidarity and attachment between the two countries and peoples, paving the way for cooperation between the two countries in all fields during the period of struggle, national reunification and building a socialist North.
In the struggle for national liberation and reunification, “the friendship between the Soviet Union and Vietnam is an important factor ensuring the victory of the Vietnamese people in their struggle for national liberation and defense of the Fatherland”. The Party, State and people of Vietnam have always received sincere help, valuable, great and effective support from the Party, State and people of the Soviet Union with the slogan: “For Soviet communists, solidarity with Vietnam is a command of the heart and mind”.
After the historic Spring Victory in 1975, the struggle for national independence and reunification of the Vietnamese people achieved complete victory, entering a new period of building and developing socialism nationwide. The Vietnam - Soviet Union relationship also entered a new stage of development. The Vietnamese people continued to receive the wholehearted support and assistance of the Soviet people. Many economic and cultural projects built by the Soviet Union, such as the University of Science and Technology and the Vietnam - Soviet Friendship Hospital, have been associated with many generations of Vietnamese people and are still showing positive results today. Tens of thousands of Vietnamese cadres trained in the Soviet Union have become key leaders in Party and State agencies, and are excellent experts in many fields. With similar goals and ideals, the trustworthy and close cooperation in all aspects between Vietnam and the Soviet Union during this period was a solid foundation for the Vietnam - Russia relationship to inherit and continue to develop.
Comprehensive strategic partnership in all fields
In the early 1990s, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991) and facing many challenges both domestically and internationally, the relationship between Vietnam and Russia - the successor state of the Soviet Union - fell into the most difficult period in history. However, with the efforts and determination of both sides, the Vietnam - Russia relationship has gradually recovered, regained momentum and made strong progress since the mid-1990s. Political trust, mutual respect, close views on many international and regional issues, and common interests are important factors for the two countries to continue to build and nurture friendship, tradition and multi-faceted cooperation, determined to bring the relationship to new heights.
To adapt to the new context, the Treaty on the Basic Principles of Vietnam-Russia Friendship Relations was signed by the two countries on June 16, 1994 to replace the Vietnam-Soviet Union Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (November 3, 1978). This Treaty defines new principles for Vietnam-Russia relations, namely: Respect for national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity; non-interference in each other's internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit. Since this historic moment, Vietnam-Russia relations have begun to turn a new page, with positive developments, and have been increasingly raised to new heights in quality.
The event considered the first milestone in the development of Vietnam - Russia cooperation was the official visit to Vietnam by Russian President Vladimir Putin (March 2001). During the visit, the two sides signed the Joint Statement on the Vietnam - Russia Strategic Partnership (Russia was the first country with which Vietnam signed a declaration establishing a strategic partnership). The Joint Statement defined a new legal framework for Vietnam - Russia cooperation in the 21st century. The two countries also signed an agreement to expand cooperation in areas where both sides have advantages and potential, such as oil and gas, electric power, industry, economy - trade, labor, tourism, fisheries and other industries and professions; agreed to strengthen coordination in the fields of standardization, prevention, response and overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, etc.
Based on the results achieved in the period 2004 - 2011, the two countries decided to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during President Truong Tan Sang's visit to Russia (July 2012). The upgrading of the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership not only reflects a close relationship built and promoted over many decades, but also demonstrates the desire and determination of both sides to develop bilateral relations to a more advanced and deeper level with a long-term and solid vision. Practice has proven that the Vietnam - Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership creates an important foundation for the two countries to implement specific and diverse steps of cooperation in many fields.
In terms of politics and diplomacy, political trust and mutual understanding between the two countries have been increasingly consolidated through visits at all levels, especially at high levels, in all channels and fields, from the Party, Government, and National Assembly channels to cooperation between localities and people-to-people diplomacy, as well as through annual consultation and strategic dialogue mechanisms. High-level visits by the two countries have created important changes in fields from diplomacy, defense and security to economics, trade, investment, science, education, and people-to-people exchange.
Along with high-level delegation exchanges, the two sides maintain many coordination and dialogue mechanisms, such as the Diplomatic - Defense - Security Strategy Dialogue at the Deputy Foreign Minister level, the Defense Strategy Dialogue at the Deputy Minister level... The leaders of the two countries discuss and coordinate consultations on many international political - security issues of mutual concern through official meetings in each country and on the sidelines of conferences, forums, and international organizations. The two countries closely coordinate and always support each other in international forums, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). In the Asia-Pacific region in general and Southeast Asia in particular, Vietnam supports Russia's participation in major regional multilateral economic and security institutions, including frameworks such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and mechanisms led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+), etc.
In the field of economics - trade - investment, despite being affected by complicated developments in the world and regional situation, economic - trade - investment cooperation has always been actively promoted by both sides. The mechanism of the Vietnam - Russia Intergovernmental Committee on economic - trade and scientific - technological cooperation continues to play an important role in coordinating bilateral cooperation with 25 meetings held. In terms of trade, Russia is currently Vietnam's largest market in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), accounting for 81% of Vietnam's total import and export turnover with the EAEU. In 2024, trade between the two countries will reach 4.58 billion USD, an increase of 26.1% compared to 2023. Of which, Vietnam's exports to Russia will reach 2.34 billion USD, an increase of 34%; imports from Russia to Vietnam will reach 2.25 billion USD, an increase of 18.9% (2) . Regarding investment, the two sides continue to implement many investment projects in both countries. Russia currently has 194 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in Vietnam with a total registered investment capital of about 989 million USD, focusing on industries and fields such as mining; accommodation and catering services; processing and manufacturing industry... Vietnam has 16 FDI projects in Russia with a total registered capital of more than 1.6 billion USD, ranking 4th out of 81 countries and territories in which Vietnam has invested, mainly focusing on the fields of mining, industry, real estate business... (3) .
Energy - oil and gas cooperation is an important highlight in economic - investment cooperation between the two countries, not only taking place in the field of oil and gas exploration and exploitation, but also expanding to other promising areas, such as construction of gas power plants, supply of liquefied natural gas, construction of infrastructure and development of renewable energy, production of engine fuel. In addition to continuing cooperation within the framework of the Vietsovpetro Joint Venture until 2030, major Russian oil and gas corporations, such as Gazprom and Zarubezneft, are implementing many projects on the continental shelf of Vietnam. In Russia, the Rusvietpetro Joint Venture is implementing an oil and gas exploitation project in the Nenetski Autonomous Region.
Defense and security is a traditional area of cooperation and has become one of the pillars in the Vietnam - Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Defense and security, military and military-technical cooperation between the two countries is carried out on the basis of mutual trust, in accordance with international law, for peace and stability in the region and the world. One of the new qualitative results in military-technical cooperation is that Vietnam is deploying the production of advanced military-technical equipment with the support of Russia. Military trade relations between the two countries have been strongly promoted, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's defense strength. Russia also pledged to continue to expand the training of soldiers and senior military officers for Vietnam at Russian military schools. Security cooperation contributes to promoting the sharing of information and experience along with cooperation in responding to diverse security challenges.
Cooperation in the fields of education - training, science - technology continues to be promoted, bringing many positive results. Regarding education - training, in recent years, Russia has granted Vietnam many scholarships with about 1,000 places/year for bachelor's, master's and doctoral training in different majors. Bilateral cooperation in the field of science - technology has developed quite dynamically, becoming one of the pillars of Vietnam - Russia relations. The highlight of the effective cooperation between Vietnam and Russia in this field is the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center - a multidisciplinary mixed scientific - technological research facility on tropical science - implemented in the direction of combining basic research and applied research, meeting the interests of both countries and serving the socio-economic development tasks of Vietnam. This is a foundation that contributes significantly to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. The two countries also promoted the establishment of the Nuclear Science and Technology Center in Vietnam with an investment capital of 350 million USD. This is a major project, a new symbol of the deepening cooperation in the Vietnam - Russia relationship.
People-to-people exchange activities are a highlight in the close and close relationship between the two nations. Many cultural and artistic exchange activities between the two countries take place annually and alternately, leaving good impressions and echoes in the hearts of the people of the two countries. The Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association and the Russia - Vietnam Friendship Association have many dynamic and effective activities, thereby contributing to fostering feelings, enhancing mutual understanding, introducing information, promoting the development of the two countries and the good traditional friendship and relationship between Vietnam and Russia, continuing to play a bridging role in promoting people-to-people exchange as well as cooperation in various fields. Every year, many important events are jointly organized by the two sides, further enhancing the close relationship between the two countries.
With nearly 80,000 people, the Vietnamese community living, working and studying in Russia is increasingly playing a role in connecting the two cultures of Vietnam and Russia. Over the past 20 years of operation since its establishment in 2004, the Vietnamese Association in Russia has carried out many practical activities to preserve and promote national identity, promote cultural exchange between Vietnam and Russia, and participate in social activities, people's diplomacy and support the Vietnamese community in Russia in many fields, ... contributing to enhancing the position of the Vietnamese community in Russia, as well as promoting Vietnamese culture and tourism.
Together towards the future
Over the past 75 years of formation and development, the Vietnam - Russia relationship has been nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries, on the basis of high political trust and mutual understanding, continuing to play an important role in the foreign policy of each country, contributing to the socio-economic development of each country. Together with Russia, Vietnam will inherit past achievements, look towards a bright future of friendship, tradition, and solidarity between the two peoples and strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, meeting the requirements of the times.
In 2025, the two nations will have many historical events: the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950 - January 30, 2025), the 80th anniversary of the Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War of Russia (May 9, 1945 - May 9, 2025), the 80th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025)... The attention and close direction of the two countries' senior leaders, along with the will and determination of both sides, have created new impetus to promote bilateral cooperation to develop further. Recently, in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 8, 2024, General Secretary To Lam reiterated the tradition of Vietnam-Russia friendship, emphasizing that Vietnam always remembers the valuable and wholehearted support and assistance that the people of the former Soviet Union and the people of Russia today have given to the Vietnamese people during the most difficult years of resistance in the struggle for national independence, as well as in the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam; affirming that Vietnam attaches special importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, always considering Russia as a leading important partner in Vietnam's foreign policy (4) . Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that Vietnam "is a friend and trusted partner" of Russia (5) . The Joint Statement on deepening the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership based on the achievements of 30 years of implementing the Treaty on the Fundamental Principles of Vietnam-Russia Friendship Relations, adopted by both sides during the State visit to Vietnam by Russian President V. Putin (June 2024), once again affirmed the importance of the traditional friendship and promoting the achievements that previous generations have worked hard to build and cultivate. This is the 5th time that Russian President V. Putin has visited Vietnam and is the Russian leader who directly established the strategic partnership and then the comprehensive strategic partnership with the Vietnamese leader in 2001 and 2012, respectively.
Looking back at the close relationship between Vietnam and Russia over the past 75 years, we can see that, through many changes in world history and each country's history, the friendly and good traditional relationship between the two countries has always been maintained, stable and inherited. That relationship has been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, increasingly developing deeply and substantially, meeting the needs of the two countries, in line with the trend of peace, stability, cooperation and development of the times. With the great achievements that have been achieved, as well as with the determination and efforts of the two countries, we have enough basis to believe that the good values in the relationship between the two countries will last forever and the Vietnam - Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to write glorious and proud pages of history on the foundation of tradition, friendship and long-standing ties between the two countries and peoples, contributing to peace, cooperation, prosperity and prosperity in the region and the world./.
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(1) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works , National Political Publishing House Truth, Hanoi, 2011, vol. 6, p. 311
(2) See: “Vietnam - Russian Federation bilateral trade grows strongly”, Vietnam News Agency , January 14, 2025, https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thuong-mai-song-phuong-viet-nam-lien-bang-nga-tang-truong-manh-me-post1007409.vnp
(3) See: “Russia ranks 4th out of 81 countries where Vietnam invests abroad”, Government Electronic Newspaper , October 22, 2024, https://baochinhphu.vn/nga-dung-thu-4-81-quoc-gia-ma-viet-nam-dau-tu-ra-nuoc-ngoai-102241022154912175.htm
(4) See: “General Secretary and President To Lam had a phone call with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin”, Electronic Communist Magazine , August 8, 2024, https://www.tapchicongsan.org.vn/en_US/web/guest/quoc-phong2/-/2018/954002/view_content
(5) “Deepening the Vietnam - Russian Federation Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”, People's Public Security Television , June 21, 2024, https://antv.gov.vn/chinh-tri-2/lam-sau-sac-hon-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-toan-dien-viet-nam-lien-bang-nga-CCFC780C1.html
Source: https://tapchicongsan.org.vn/web/guest/quoc-phong-an-ninh-oi-ngoai1/-/2018/1066702/bay-muoi-lam-nam-quan-he-ngoai-giao-viet-nam---nga---viet-tiep-nhung-trang-su-ve-va-va-tu-hao.aspx
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