Vietnam outlines five key orientations for Russia-ASEAN cooperation at EEF

The dialogue was attended by Sergey Katyrin, President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with officials and business representatives from Russia and ASEAN member states.

Opening his address, Minister Tuan praised the strategic location and role of Vladivostok as a vital gateway connecting Russia with the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam. He noted that 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations.

The recent Russia-ASEAN Summit in Kazan adopted the Russia-ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2026-2030, creating an important foundation to deepen the Strategic Partnership. Bilateral trade between Russia and ASEAN grew nearly 58% over the past decade, reaching approximately US$21 billion in 2025.

Tuan emphasized that while this is a positive result, there is still significant room for growth, and the priority now is translating cooperation orientations into concrete projects, real trade and investment flows, and measurable outcomes.

Minister Ngo Van Tuan stated that Vietnam is entering a new development era, aiming to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income nation by 2045.

For the 2026-2030 period, Vietnam targets annual economic growth of 10% or higher, while maintaining macroeconomic stability and major economic balances. To achieve these goals, the nation is strongly promoting science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), high-quality human resources, and the private sector, alongside accelerating investments in strategic infrastructure and improving the business environment. In 2025, Vietnam’s economy hit approximately US$514 billion, with total foreign trade in goods exceeding US$930 billion. Tuan affirmed that the country is integrating deeper into regional production networks and supply chains, serving as a destination for international corporations in technology, electronics, manufacturing, energy, logistics, and services.

Tuan highlighted Vietnam’s special position in Russia-ASEAN ties, noting that bilateral trade between Vietnam and Russia stood at about US$4.77 billion in 2025, accounting for roughly a quarter of total Russia-ASEAN trade. Vietnam is also the first ASEAN nation to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). With its broad FTA network, the country can serve as a bridge for Russian enterprises to access ASEAN and global markets, while Russia’s Far East opens opportunities for Vietnamese and ASEAN businesses to enter the Russian market and the Eurasian economic space.

On this basis, Minister Ngo Van Tuan proposed five key cooperation orientations:

First, developing new supply chains and enhancing trade-investment connectivity. Russia holds strengths in energy, raw materials, agriculture, manufacturing, and science-technology, while ASEAN possesses a market of nearly 700 million people with a young workforce and dynamic production network. Both sides should shift strongly from simple trade to joint investments, production, and value chain participation. Vietnam stands ready to act as a bridge and encourages Russian firms to invest in manufacturing, high technology, energy, logistics, and high-tech agriculture.

Second, creating breakthroughs in transport and logistics. Addressing geographical distance, a remaining barrier to Russia-ASEAN trade, Tuan proposed studying the formation of a Far East –Vietnam- ASEAN logistics corridor. This initiative will connect maritime transport, ports, cold storage, distribution centers, and production chains, thereby shaping new value chains for seafood, agriculture, food, raw materials, and consumer goods.

Third, making science-technology, digital transformation, and AI new growth drivers. Tuan laid stresss on the immense potential in these fields, noting Vietnam is promoting AI, big data, data centers, cloud computing, semiconductors, automation, digital finance, and smart logistics, while Russia possesses strong scientific foundations and high-quality manpower. Vietnam proposes advancing cooperation programs in AI, cybersecurity, fintech, digital health, digital education, data centers, and smart manufacturing, targeting joint research, technology transfer, human resource training, and product commercialization.

Fourth, strengthening cooperation in energy, green growth, and sustainable development. As ASEAN’s energy demand continues to rise alongside increasing requirements for energy transition and emission reduction, Vietnam is promoting clean energy, renewable energy, offshore wind, modern power infrastructure, and a green, circular economy. Tuan stated that with Russia’s strengths in energy and technology, this could become a key pillar of future Russia-ASEAN ties.

Fifth, expanding cooperation in finance, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. Vietnam is researching free trade zones linked with seaports, logistics, industry, and services, while developing international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. Tuan invited Russian financial institutions and investors to explore these spaces. Additionally, building on Vietnam receiving nearly 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, he called for continued promotion of air connectivity, tourism, education, and cultural exchanges.

Looking toward 2030, Minister Tuan expressed his expectation for Russia-ASEAN relations to become more practical, balanced, and valuable for businesses and citizens on both sides. Crucially, the 2026-2030 Action Plan should be converted into concrete, measurable projects with designated partners and locations.

Concluding his speech, Minister Ngo Van Tuan affirmed that Vietnam consistently regards Russia as an important partner and ASEAN as a strategic space.

Vietnam stands ready to further leverage its role as an economic bridge between Russia and ASEAN, as well as between the EAEU and Southeast Asia, joining Russia and ASEAN member states to build new momentum for cooperation toward regional peace, stability, prosperity, and sustainable development.

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