This is the first official visit to the Russian Federation since Comrade To Lam was elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam .

The visit took place in a very meaningful context when the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950 - January 30, 2025). The visit aims to strengthen political trust, identify new directions to bring the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation to a new height; at the same time, it demonstrates Vietnam's respect and honor for the enormous contributions and sacrifices of the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation today in the great victory against fascism.

75 years of good traditional relations between the two peoples of Vietnam and the Russian Federation

Going back in history, on January 30, 1950, Vietnam and the Soviet Union officially established diplomatic relations. This day has gone down in the history of Vietnam-Russia bilateral relations as an important milestone, laying the foundation for the strong friendship between the two peoples and the extensive and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Since the early days of the country's founding, developing relations with the Soviet Union has always been a top priority in Vietnam's foreign policy. In particular, in July 1955, after the complete liberation of the North, President Ho Chi Minh led a government delegation to visit the Soviet Union to consolidate friendship and solidarity, and enhance economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

People of Hanoi capital welcome President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union Kliment Voroshilov to visit Vietnam, May 20, 1957. (Photo: VNA archive)

In response to Vietnam's sincere feelings, the Soviet Union also gave Vietnam warm feelings and generous help. During the war years, the Soviet Union not only helped Vietnam with money and goods but also helped Vietnam develop its economy, culture and society. Many projects built by the friendly country have been associated with many generations of Vietnamese people and are still effective today, such as: the University of Science and Technology, the Vietnam-Soviet Friendship Hospital...

After the war, with the support of the Soviet Union, key sectors of the Vietnamese national economy such as energy, industry, agriculture, science and technology, culture and education... were built and continuously developed, effectively serving the cause of national construction.

Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet and Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin signed the Treaty on the basic principles of friendly relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation (Moscow, June 16, 1994). (Photo: Minh Dao/VNA)

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the multifaceted, mutually beneficial cooperation between Vietnam and the Russian Federation continued to be valued and increasingly developed strongly and comprehensively. The relationship between the two countries entered a new stage of development after the signing of the Treaty on the Basic Principles of Friendly Relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Russian Federation (June 16, 1994), laying the foundation and legal basis for the relationship between the two countries in a new stage of development.

Up to now, the leaders of the two countries have always affirmed that the Treaty on the Fundamental Principles of Vietnam-Russian Federation Friendship Relations is a historical document of great significance, symbolizing the beginning of a new stage in the development of multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the Russian Federation, creating the premise for bringing the relationship between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Over the past 30 years, generations of leaders and people of the two countries have made constant efforts to foster a strong friendship, consolidate and promote comprehensive bilateral cooperation in all fields, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Senior Lieutenant General Aleksandr V. Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation and Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of Defense of Vietnam co-chaired the 6th Vietnam-Russia Defense Strategy Dialogue (Russia, 2023). (Photo: VNA)

Following the Treaty on the Basic Principles of Vietnam-Russian Federation Friendship Relations (June 16, 1994), the framework of relations between the two countries in the 21st century has been continuously enhanced by: the two countries establishing a Strategic Partnership in 2001; a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2012; in 2021, the two countries signed a Joint Statement on the Vision of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to 2030; in June 2024, signed a Joint Statement on deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the basis of 30 years of achievements in implementing the Treaty on the Basic Principles of Vietnam-Russia Friendship Relations.

These are very important milestones, marking the development of relations between the two countries, demonstrating the determination of the Leaders and people of the two countries to make bilateral cooperation increasingly effective and substantive in all fields, worthy of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, meeting the needs and interests of both peoples, contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

President To Lam (now General Secretary To Lam) held talks with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during his State visit to Vietnam at noon on June 20, 2024, at the Presidential Palace. (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA)

With the foundation of good feelings between the leaders and people of the two countries, the political relationship between Vietnam and the Russian Federation has a high level of trust, delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, including high-level ones, take place regularly, creating a strong driving force for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Notable visits and meetings between senior leaders of the two countries include: General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had a phone call with President Putin on the occasion of his re-election as President of Russia (March 2024); National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man paid an official visit to Russia and co-chaired the 3rd meeting of the Vietnam-Russia Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee (September 2024); Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the BRICS Leaders' Meeting in Kazan (Russia) (October 2024); President Luong Cuong met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk on the occasion of attending the APEC 2024 Summit Week in Lima (Peru) (November 15, 2024)...

On the Russian side, there were visits to Vietnam by: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko on an official visit, co-chairing the 24th Session of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Commission (April 2023); Chairman of the ruling United Russia Party, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev on an official visit to Vietnam (May 2023); Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Parliament Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin on an official visit to Vietnam (October 2023); President Vladimir Putin on a state visit to Vietnam (June 2024); Russian President Putin on a phone call and congratulating President To Lam on his election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (August 2024); Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin on an official visit to Vietnam (January 14 and 15, 2025)...

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Russian President Vladimir Putin view a photo exhibition on cooperation between the two countries, produced by the Vietnam News Agency (Hanoi, afternoon of June 20, 2024). (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

In addition to high-level visits and contacts, the two countries also maintain the mechanism of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic-Trade and Scientific-Technological Cooperation, established in 1992 and upgraded to the Deputy Prime Minister level in 2011; The Intergovernmental Committee meets annually. Most recently, the 25th Session of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee was held in Russia in September 2024.

The Communist Party of Vietnam has good relations with major political parties that hold important positions in Russian politics such as the United Russia Party, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and the "Just Russia-Patriots-For Truth" Party.

The two sides closely coordinate at multilateral forums and international organizations such as the United Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the Asia Interaction and Confidence Building Forum (CICA).

In 2025, the two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950 - January 30, 2025) with many meaningful events and activities.

Strong, comprehensive cooperation in many fields

Economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has been continuously developing in recent years. The growth rate of bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and the Russian Federation has increased rapidly, especially since the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union officially took effect in October 2016.

In 2023, bilateral trade turnover will reach 3.63 billion USD; in 2024, it will reach 4.58 billion USD; in the first 3 months of 2025, it will reach 1.11 billion USD.

In 2023, bilateral trade turnover will reach 3.63 billion USD; in 2024, it will reach 4.58 billion USD; in the first 3 months of 2025, it will reach 1.11 billion USD.

Vietnam's main export items to Russia include: phones, electronics, textiles, footwear, agricultural, aquatic and seafood products of all kinds...; Vietnam's import items from Russia include: coal, wheat, iron and steel, fertilizers, cars, machinery and equipment of all kinds...

Regarding investment, by the end of January 2025, Russia had 202 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of about 995.82 million USD, ranking 26th out of 149 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, implemented in 21 out of 63 localities, including offshore oil and gas areas, accommodation and catering services, processing and manufacturing industries...

On the other hand, Vietnam currently has 16 valid investment projects in Russia with a total registered capital of 1.6 billion USD, ranking 4th out of 81 countries and territories in which Vietnam has invested, mainly from Rusvietpetro Oil and Gas Joint Venture projects, TH Group's dairy and agricultural projects in Russia, and a number of industrial and real estate projects...

Oil and gas-energy is an important pillar of bilateral cooperation. The two sides are currently negotiating and promoting the signing of Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Protocols and Agreements in the fields of geological exploration and oil and gas exploitation; and are interested in restoring and promoting cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and nuclear power development in Vietnam.

Cooperation in the field of providing food and agricultural products to each other's markets is also increasingly developing between the two countries.

According to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Vietnam GSBezdetko, preliminary estimates of the total value of supply to the market in 2024 between the two countries have exceeded 1 billion USD.

This positive trend has been maintained largely due to the establishment of direct links between specialized business structures in both countries, as well as the expansion of the list of companies that have received operating licenses from the veterinary and phytosanitary agencies of the two countries.

In addition, cooperation between the two countries in fields such as science-technology, culture, education, tourism, localities... is increasingly expanded, in which cooperation in science-technology and education-training between the two countries is promoted and raised to a strategic level.

Russia has become an attractive destination for many Vietnamese students thanks to its high-quality scholarship and training programs, including in key industries such as energy, oil and gas, and basic sciences. Tens of thousands of scientists, engineers, and technical workers trained in the Russian Federation have made positive and effective contributions to the Vietnamese economy and are a factor in creating a bridge of friendship between the people of the two countries.

Since 2019, Russia has increased the number of scholarships for Vietnam to about 1,000 per year. Currently, there are about more than 5,000 Vietnamese students studying in the Russian Federation.

Cultural, sports and tourism cooperation has been actively implemented with the annual and rotational organization of Cultural Days in each country. The Russian Cultural Days in Vietnam combined with the Closing Ceremony of the Vietnam-Russia Cross Year were held in July 2023; the Vietnamese Cultural Days in Russia were held in July 2024.

Tourism cooperation has seen positive changes. Direct flights between the two countries were resumed in 2023. In October 2024, the number of Russian visitors to Vietnam reached more than 117.8 thousand, an increase of 81% over the same period in 2023, ranking 4th among European countries.

Cooperation between localities of the two countries continues to be maintained and enhanced through delegation exchanges and the signing of many cooperation agreements. Currently, about 20 pairs of relations between localities of the two countries have been established, especially between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Moscow, Saint Petersburg...

In 2024, delegations from St. Petersburg and Moscow, Ulyanovsk, Yaroslavl and Yakutia regions visited Vietnam. On the Vietnamese side, leaders of the localities: Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Can Tho, Quang Tri, Thai Binh and Hai Phong also visited the Russian provinces.

The Vietnamese community in Russia currently has about 70,000 people, always attached to and considering Russia as their second homeland.

The Vietnamese community in Russia currently has about 70,000 people, always attached to and considering Russia as their second homeland.

In the Russian Federation, Vietnamese organizations have been established such as the Vietnamese Association in the Russian Federation, the Business Association, the Veterans Association, the Student Association in Moscow, the Literature and Arts Association, the Science and Technology Association, the Medical and Pharmaceutical Association, the Martial Arts Association, and the Associations of Compatriots... The Vietnamese community in Russia has made many contributions to the country and the host country, helping to strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries.

The official visit to the Russian Federation and attendance at the 80th Anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War by General Secretary To Lam and his wife along with the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation took place at a meaningful time when the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

At the same time, each country also celebrates important historical milestones: Russia celebrates the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War (May 9, 1945 - May 9, 2025); Vietnam celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2 (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang said the visit aims to continue to promote and deepen the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, expand bilateral cooperation in traditional areas such as trade, investment, oil and gas, industry; promote cooperation in new potential areas such as atomic energy, renewable energy, high technology, artificial intelligence, basic science, biomedicine, etc.

At the same time, the visit also affirmed that Vietnam is a loyal and devoted friend to traditional friends and a responsible member of the international community; creating important driving forces to bring the country into a new era, realizing the set development goals, thereby actively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region as well as in the world./.

President To Lam and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin witnessed the exchange of signed documents between the two countries on the afternoon of June 20, 2024. (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/lam-sau-sac-hon-nua-quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-toan-dien-viet-nam-lien-bang-nga-post1037117.vnp