Mishustin begins Vietnam visit to foster Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by a foreign leader since the beginning of 2025, underscoring Russia’s strong emphasis on its relationship with Vietnam. This visit takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950 - 2025). It aims to strengthen and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

Over the past 75 years, the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Russia has been continuously strengthened. The Party, State, and people of Vietnam deeply value this enduring friendship and cherish the invaluable support and assistance provided by the former Soviet Union and modern-day Russia.

Vietnam identifies its relationship with Russia as strategically significant, considering Russia a top partner in its foreign policy. In turn, Russia regards Vietnam as a trusted partner and one of its highest priorities in its foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region.

2024 saw the leaders of the two countries frequently hold high-level exchanges and meetings, providing a crucial political foundation to boost bilateral cooperation. During President Vladimir Putin’s State visit to Vietnam in June 2024, the two sides adopted a joint statement to further deepen the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In subsequent interactions, including phone calls between General Secretary and President To Lam and President Putin in August 2024, an official visit to Russia by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man in September 2024, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s meeting with President Putin during the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, both sides reaffirmed their high level of political trust and had substantive discussions on specific directions and areas to advance bilateral relations in the current period.

The two countries also closely coordinated at international organizations and multilateral forums, sharing similar stances on many global and regional issues.

Economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Russia are gradually recovering momentum. Two-way trade turnover reached US$3.63 billion in 2023, and grew to US$4.1 billion in the first 11 months of 2024, marking a year-on-year rise of 27.4%. Exports totaled US$2.1 billion, up 35.7%, while imports amounted to US$2 billion, up 29.2%.

As of early November 2024, Russia had 199 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of approximately US$990 million, ranking 26th out of 147 countries and territories investing in the country. Meanwhile, Vietnam had 16 active investment projects valued at US$1.6 billion in Russia, making it the fourth largest destination among the 81 countries and territories where Vietnam has investments.

The two countries have also enhanced their cooperation in education-training and science-technology. They have undertaken numerous research and technology transfer projects, with significant outcomes achieved through scientific cooperation within the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center. Both sides are now advancing a project to establish a nuclear science and technology research center.

Cultural, sports, and tourism cooperation has been actively promoted through the annual and alternating organization of Cultural Days in Vietnam and Russia. Local-level cooperation has also been sustained and strengthened through delegation visits and agreements, with approximately 20 local-level partnerships established between the two countries.

Building on these achievements, Mishustin’s visit aims to advance the major directions previously discussed and agreed upon by the two countries’ senior leaders. It seeks to outline measures to expand cooperation in potential areas, fostering momentum for bilateral relations. The visit also underscores their strong commitment to maintaining and developing their comprehensive strategic partnership, making it increasingly substantive, practical, and effective.

During his visit, Mishustin is expected to hold talks and meetings with senior Vietnamese leaders. Discussions will cover areas of cooperation such as trade, economy, culture, and humanitarian efforts, with a particular focus on implementing joint projects in energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture.