Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Vietnam this week

Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong from June 19 to June 20, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign Ministry today [June 17].

Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Source: VNA

The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the "Treaty on the Basic Principles of Friendly Relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Russian Federation" (Vietnam-Russia Friendship Treaty) (June 16, 1994 - June 16, 2024) and the prelude to the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025.

Vietnam and Russia maintain solid political ties that have gotten stronger over time. Economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has been dynamic but has yet to fully realize its bilateral potential.

As of April 2024, Russia has 186 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of $984.98 million, implemented in 21 provinces, focusing on oil and gas, mining, and manufacturing industries. Vietnam has 18 investment projects in Russia with a total registered capital of $1.63 billion. Energy cooperation is a traditionally strategic and effective field.

Both countries share common perspectives on numerous international and regional issues and work closely and support each other in international forums such as the United Nations, APEC, ASEM, ARF, and CICA. Meanwhile, security and defense cooperation has been enhanced, and collaboration in culture, tourism, education, training, and science and technology continues to develop with positive outcomes.

Currently, around 60,000 to 80,000 Vietnamese people are living, studying, and working in Russia, making a significant contribution to both countries.

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam, Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko, stated that since the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, the traditional friendship has grown robustly across all aspects of social life.

The Ambassador also emphasized that Russia prioritizes strengthening its strategic partnership with ASEAN, with a special focus on deepening the solid friendship with Vietnam, one of Russia's key partners in Southeast Asia, for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.

According to Tass, the talks are expected to focus on developing relations between Moscow and Hanoi. "Hanoi will host meetings with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man," the Kremlin press service informed.

According to its data, plans are "to discuss the current state and prospects for further development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Vietnam in trade and economic, scientific, technological and humanitarian areas, as well as to exchange views on key issues on the international and regional agenda."

"Following the talks, a joint statement will be adopted and a number of bilateral documents will be signed," the Kremlin went on to say. The Russian leader will arrive in Hanoi from North Korea, where he "will pay a friendly state visit" on June 18-19, it added. 

President Putin has been to Vietnam several times. In 2017, he took part in the Vietnam-hosted APEC summit, while in 2013, he paid an official visit to the country.

The status of a state visit is the highest in diplomatic protocol. After assuming office as President of the Russian Federation for another term on May 7, President Putin has already paid state visits to China and Uzbekistan.