Russia is ready to expand substantive cooperation with Vietnam across various areas, aiming to further strengthen the long-standing ties between the two nations, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko has said.
He made the statement at a press conference on December 26 which reviewed the outcomes of the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024.
The ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the sound development at all levels of bilateral cooperation, particularly at the highest level. He pointed to the state visit of Russian President Vladimir V. Putin to Vietnam in June as pivotal momentum that has significantly advanced multifaceted collaboration. During the visit, both sides signed a joint statement and 15 key documents, which Bezdetko described as impressive milestones that provide a solid foundation to further strengthen ties.
He also highlighted the importance of National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man's visit to Russia in September. During this trip, Man participated in the third meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission for Cooperation between the Russian State Duma and the Vietnamese NA, resulting in an agreement to bolster collaboration between the two legislative bodies.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's attendance in the expanded BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia, was another highlight. Ambassador Bezdetko noted that the meeting between PM Chinh and President Putin on the sidelines of the summit took place in an atmosphere of warmth and trust, yielding significant directions for enhancing bilateral ties.
The diplomat underscored the steady growth in economic cooperation, supported by the effective functioning of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation. Both countries are currently drafting a comprehensive plan for Vietnam-Russia cooperation through 2030, focusing on sectors such as trade and investment, industry, energy, transportation, information and communications technology, science, and education.
Also at the event, Russian Trade Representative in Vietnam, Viacheslav Kharinov, informed the attendees of bilateral trade collaboration. He highlighted Russia’s export-focused policies and its active push to expand business and investment in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, as a priority market. He underlined significant potential for cooperation between the two countries in logistics, automobile assembly, pharmaceuticals, and high-tech industries.
Cultural and educational exchange
Along with promoting political and economic ties, cultural exchange activities and educational cooperation between the two countries have always been priorities through effective programmes throughout 2024 of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Vietnam. The centre’s Director V.V. Murashkin remarked that the Russian House in Vietnam has become a vibrant hub for cultural exchange, offering exhibitions, film screenings, and seminars. Russian language education continues to be supported at numerous Vietnamese institutions.
In reply to questions on nuclear energy collaboration, in the context of Vietnam’s plan to revive the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, the ambassador reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to assist Vietnam in developing nuclear technology, particularly nuclear energy.
Regarding questions about plans to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, Ambassador Bezdetko revealed that both countries’ foreign ministries are coordinating efforts to organise various events, including delegation exchanges, press conferences, roundtable discussions, art performances, and cultural exhibitions.
