Vietnam, Russia energy cooperation expansion reflects deeper bilateral ties: experts

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin agreed to broaden cooperation in areas including liquefied natural gas (LNG), renewable energy, and nuclear power during Chinh’s visit to Russia from Sunday to Wednesday.

As part of the visit, Chinh met representatives of Russian gas producer Novatek to discuss potential LNG infrastructure and gas-fired power projects in Vietnam, including in Hai Phong–Quang Ninh, Nghi Son, and Ca Na.

Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements between businesses in sectors including energy and transport, as well as a cooperation agreement to build a nuclear power plant in Vietnam.

Russian experts told Tuoi Tre that political trust and long-standing friendship between the two countries form a solid foundation for expanding cooperation into areas where both sides have strengths and demand.

This is Chinh’s second visit to Russia but his first official visit, made at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Chinh first visited Russia and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 23, 2024 on the sidelines of the Expanded BRICS Summit in Kazan.

According to Leonid Borisovich Vardomsky of the Institute of Economics at the Russian Academy of Sciences, while the scale of economic cooperation remains modest, both countries are interested in raising economic ties in line with their level of political trust.

He said that energy is a focus of the visit and that both sides face prospects for long-term and broader cooperation in this area.