Vietnam gives top priority to enhancing partnership with Russia

Vietnam looks forward to working closely with Russia to ensure security, cooperation, and development in the region and globally, Chinh told his visiting Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin during their talks in Hanoi on January 14.

He congratulated Russia on the socio-economic development achievements it has made under President Vladimir Putin’s leadership and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s guidance.

Mishustin for his part expressed his impression of Vietnam's achievements in socio-economic development, which have significantly contributed to improving people's lives and elevating the country’s position and reputation both regionally and internationally.

He affirmed that Russia highly values the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and considers Vietnam a leading partner in Southeast Asia, aiming to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields where both sides have potential and strengths.

Both sides agreed to continue enhancing dialogue, consolidating political trust, promoting contact and exchanges at all levels and through various channels, laying a foundation for comprehensive bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of economy, trade, investment, energy, education, culture, tourism, science - technology, and local cooperation.

They acknowledged positive growth in bilateral trade in recent times but agreed that there is still considerable potential for further exploration. They agreed on the need for breakthrough measures to increase two-way trade value, including effectively utilizing the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, of which Russia is a member. They vowed to further seek ways to facilitate the market access for each other’s goods, such as agricultural products and pharmaceuticals.

The Prime Ministers affirmed the importance of cooperation in science and technology between the two countries and expressed the desire to work closely toward building a nuclear science and technology research center in Vietnam.

Mishustin praised the results of scientific research cooperation over the years, emphasizing that Russia cooperates with many countries in developing nuclear power and is ready to participate in building Vietnam’s nuclear power industry. He also proposed advancing cooperation in health care, labour, and pharmaceuticals.

Both sides stressed the desire to deepen cooperation in the humanities, education and training, and Vietnamese and Russian language teaching in the two countries through the network of Vietnamese-Russian technical universities.

The Russian side affirmed that it will continue to offer scholarships for training personnel in Vietnam in science and technology and arts, among others.

The two sides welcomed efforts to promote people-to-people exchanges, expand cooperation between localities, and educate the younger generations in both countries about traditional friendship. They agreed to organize frequent cultural exchange activities and art performances, especially in the leadup to the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025 to promote mutual understanding.

The Prime Ministers exchanged measures to strengthen cooperation in tourism, noting that the resumption of direct and charter flights between the two countries has significantly boosted tourism. They also agreed to promote transportation connectivity, including maritime, rail, and urban transport.

Regarding outstanding issues, the Prime Ministers tasked the relevant ministries and agencies of Vietnam and Russia to exchange, research, and propose measures to resolve these issues while ensuring mutual benefits.

The two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern. They reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums.

Chinh requested Russia’s support for ensuring the security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, peacefully resolving disputes based on international law and the UN Charter, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He thanked Russia for goodwill and care for the Vietnamese community there and hoped the government of Russia would continue creating favourable conditions and ensuring the safety of Vietnamese expatriates there. He assured his guest that the Vietnamese government consistently cares about and will ensure favourable conditions for Russian citizens living, studying, and working in Vietnam.

The two Prime Ministers believed that the successful outcomes of the visit would create many breakthroughs for comprehensive Vietnam-Russia cooperation, for the benefit of the two peoples, and for peace and stability in the region and the rest of the world.

After the talks, two PMs signed a joint communiqué on the results of the official visit to Vietnam by the Russian Prime Minister and witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents in the fields of science, information and communication, and culture.