Vietnam, Russia strengthen maritime defense cooperation

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and the Russian Federation have pledged to promote defense cooperation at sea following a meeting on September 15 between General Phan Van Giang, Vietnam's Defense Minister, and Nikolai Patrushev, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board.

Giang praised Russia’s position as a maritime power, noting its strong naval capabilities, advanced shipbuilding technologies, extensive network of strategic ports, and modern models of maritime management and exploitation.

He reaffirmed Vietnam’s policy of developing a sustainable maritime economy closely tied to defense and security, with the dual goals of safeguarding national independence and sovereignty while fostering international cooperation for a peaceful and stable environment.

The minister stressed that the Vietnamese people remain grateful for the tremendous, effective and heartfelt support of the former Soviet Union and today’s Russian Federation in Vietnam’s struggle for independence, reunification and in building and defending the nation.

As part of ongoing efforts to preserve this shared history, the Ministry of National Defense has completed the Vietnam - Soviet Union Solidarity and Friendship Monument Complex at the Vietnam Military History Museum, honoring Soviet military experts who once supported Vietnam.

Alongside memorials in Khanh Hoa and Moscow, the new monument is expected to strengthen ties and highlight the tradition of friendship between the two countries.

Regarding the East Sea (referred to as the South China Sea), the minister underlined Vietnam’s consistent stance of resolving disputes through peaceful means, based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam also adheres to the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and continues to push for the early conclusion of a substantive, effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

Both sides agreed that defense cooperation has been pursued in a spirit of trust, practicality, efficiency, and comprehensiveness, forming an important foundation for future maritime collaboration.

Under the Vietnam - Russia Defense Cooperation Plan for 2026 - 2030, signed in May 2025, the two countries will pursue a Government-level agreement on maritime search and rescue while strengthening coordination in other fields.

Giang thanked Russia for sending high-level delegations to Vietnam’s 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day celebrations on September 2, as well as military contingents that joined the parade.

Patrushev affirmed that strengthening maritime cooperation aligns with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

“Naval cooperation between the two countries has stood the test of time. Our navies continue to expand cooperation, while Vietnamese sailors, having operated Soviet and Russian warships for many years, are familiar with and value Russian weapons,” he noted.

He stressed that both sides still have great potential to jointly address maritime security challenges and improve their capabilities.

At the conclusion of the talks, the two sides officially signed a memorandum of understanding on maritime consultations between Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense and Russia’s Maritime Board, which is expected to lay a foundation for strategic consultations and cooperation in naval affairs, maritime security, law enforcement at sea, scientific research and port infrastructure.