Viet Nam, Russia vow to soon raise bilateral trade to US$15 billion

Le expressed his pleasure at visiting Russia for the first time in his new capacity as Prime Minister of Viet Nam and conveyed greetings from General Secretary and President To Lam and other senior Vietnamese leaders to President Putin. 

He congratulated Russia on the successful organization of the ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit, noting that the event contributed to promoting substantive and mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and ASEAN Member States.

The Prime Minister affirmed that Viet Nam consistently regards Russia as one of its most important partners in its foreign policy. Despite increasingly complex global developments, the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries continue to grow across multiple sectors, he stressed.

Le reiterated the Vietnamese Government's determination to closely coordinate with Russia in effectively implementing the agreements reached by General Secretary and President To Lam and President Putin, thereby further deepening bilateral relations.

Following General Secretary To Lam's official visit to Russia in May 2025, Vietnamese authorities have developed detailed implementation plans and regularly reviewed progress. On that basis, Prime Minister Le proposed that both sides continue to work closely to translate high-level agreements into concrete outcomes.

The two leaders exchanged views on major directions and measures aimed at creating breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation and strengthening the foundation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in favor of development goals of both nations.

They agreed to enhance regular and substantive exchanges through all channels and at all levels, maintain high-level contacts, and promptly coordinate on bilateral and multilateral issues. Both sides reaffirmed that defence and security cooperation remains a strategic pillar of bilateral relations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity and military exchanges.

Recognizing the vast potential for bilateral cooperation, Prime Minister Le and President Putin agreed to accelerate negotiations to facilitate the early implementation of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant project. They reaffirmed that energy, oil and gas, and nuclear cooperation constitute important pillars of the bilateral ties and should be advanced in line with agreed roadmaps.

The two sides also discussed measures to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, education and training, transport, culture, and tourism. They agreed to continue collaboration in mining, transportation, shipbuilding, railway modernization, and the expansion of transport corridors, including international intermodal railway routes through China.

Prime Minister Le proposed that Russia create more favorable conditions for Vietnamese products, particularly agricultural goods, to access the Russian market. He also called for the removal of restrictions on several Vietnamese seafood processing facilities and the expansion of the list of enterprises eligible to export seafood products to Russia and other member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

The Vietnamese leader further suggested that Russia consider negotiations to amend the Free Trade Agreement between Viet Nam and the EAEU, including the removal of safeguard measures applied to Vietnamese textile, garment, and footwear exports.

Regarding tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges, President Putin expressed support for expanding Russian-language training in Southeast Asia, including Viet Nam, and reaffirmed Russia's continued assistance for Vietnamese students studying in the country.

Both sides agreed to promote tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, accelerate the establishment of a Vietnamese Cultural Center in Russia, consider the construction of a Russian school in Ha Noi, and organize a Russian Cultural Season in Viet Nam in 2027.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Le invited President Putin to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Week in Phu Quoc in 2027. He expressed confidence that President Putin's participation would contribute to strengthening cooperation, development, peace, and stability in the region and the world./.