Vietnam, Russia vow stronger strategic ties, issue joint statement

This commitment was reaffirmed during talks between visiting Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Saturday.

General Secretary Lam's official visit coincided with his attendance at the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of Russia's Victory in the Great Patriotic War (May 9, 1945-2025).

The visit lasts from May 8 to 11.

Time-tested enduring relationship

President Putin thanked General Secretary Lam, his spouse, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation for participating in the Victory Day celebrations and commended the Vietnam People's Army for joining the May 9 parade at Red Square.

He stressed the importance of Lam's visit as both nations mark key anniversaries: the 80th anniversary of Russia's Victory Day, 75 years of bilateral diplomatic relations, 50 years since Vietnam's national reunification, and 80 years of Vietnam's National Day.

Putin noted the enduring Vietnam-Russia friendship over the past 75 years, forged through wartime solidarity and continued in peacetime cooperation.

General Secretary Lam congratulated Russia on the successful Victory Day celebrations and acknowledged the longstanding support provided by the former Soviet Union and present-day Russia.

Calling President Putin a great friend and close comrade of Vietnam, Lam updated him on Vietnam's progress, emphasizing its pursuit of development goals to become a high-income developed country by 2045.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the growing Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, established in 2012, particularly in economy, trade, energy, education, science and technology, and innovation.

They praised the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee for promoting cooperation across key areas including politics, economics, security, defense, culture, people-to-people exchanges, and local-level collaboration.

Advancing multifaceted cooperation

General Secretary Lam proposed deeper cooperation in economic and trade sectors, investment, transport and logistics, boosting e-commerce, and enhancing labor collaboration to meet Russia's demand.

The two leaders agreed to advance joint efforts in boosting collaborations in other fields such as science and technology, nuclear energy, biotechnology, the semiconductor industry, digital infrastructure, and information technology.

Lam expressed hope that Russia would support Vietnamese researchers in fields like nuclear science and fundamental physics.

Acknowledging Russia's strength in biology and pharmaceuticals, he called for joint work on medicines and vaccines and stressed the early establishment of a cancer vaccine research and testing facility in Vietnam, aiming for technology transfer and local production.

The Party chief also urged Russia to promote the Russian language in Vietnam, enhance Vietnamese language training, establish a Vietnamese cultural center in Russia, and facilitate more people-to-people exchanges.

He proposed visa exemptions for Vietnamese citizens, especially for short-term business trips, and an increase in electronic visa issuance.

In defense and security, both sides agreed to expand cooperation in military technology, cybersecurity, and tackling non-traditional and high-tech crimes in line with international law and practices, contributing to regional and global peace and security.

Both nations support energy and oil and gas enterprises in expanding cooperation and investment, and operating in each other's territories under international law, including the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982).

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, emphasizing adherence to the UN Charter and international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

Charting new era in bilateral relations

Wrapping up the talks, Vietnam and Russia issued a Joint Statement outlining key directions for their comprehensive strategic partnership in this new phase.

The statement highlights notable achievements, reaffirms shared principles, and sets forth areas for deeper cooperation to serve the long-term interests of both nations. 

It also aims to contribute to peace, security, and sustainable development both regionally and globally.

General Secretary To Lam invited President Putin to visit Vietnam again soon, an invitation which the Russian leader accepted with pleasure.

Following the talks, both sides witnessed the exchange of several cooperation agreements, protocols, contracts, and memoranda of understanding.

These covered a wide range of areas, including diplomacy, defense, oil and gas, peaceful nuclear energy, science and technology, justice, health, education and training, biomedical sciences, culture, and aviation.

On Saturday evening, General Secretary Lam and his spouse, accompanied by their entourage, laid flowers at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh at Ho Chi Minh Square in Moscow.

They also paid tribute by laying flowers at the memorial stele dedicated to Vietnamese Party General Secretary Le Duan at Le Duan Square in the Russian capital.