President Putin’s Visit to Vietnam to Enhance Bilateral Relations
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming state visit to Vietnam represents the highest diplomatic protocol in the bilateral relations between the two nations, according to Russian Ambassador to Vietnam G.S. Bezdetko. Speaking to the press on June 19, Bezdetko highlighted the significance of this visit, which will take place on June 19-20 and include a delegation of Russian leaders, regional officials, and major business representatives.
During the visit, President Putin will hold talks and meetings with Vietnamese leaders and alumni of former Soviet Union and Russian universities. The two sides are expected to issue a joint statement and sign cooperation agreements in areas such as higher education, justice, customs, healthcare, energy, and science.
Bezdetko emphasized that the visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations between Vietnam and Russia (June 16, 1994 – 2024). This historic treaty has significantly expanded bilateral interactions and laid the foundation for developing large joint projects and initiatives in various fields. It has heralded a new period of multifaceted cooperation and elevated Vietnam-Russia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Upcoming milestones include the 30th anniversary of the Hoa Binh hydroelectric power plant, the largest hydropower complex in Vietnam constructed with Soviet assistance and completed with Russian help, in December 2024; the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in January 2025; and the 10th anniversary of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Russia is a member, in May 2025.
Building on a strong foundation of previous high-level exchanges, President Putin’s visit aims to boost cooperation in various fields, including economy, investment, science and technology, education and training, culture, tourism, humanitarian exchanges, and national defense and security.
Bezdetko affirmed Russia’s readiness to work closely with Vietnam on the international stage, especially at the United Nations and within frameworks centered on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to address urgent global issues and uphold principles of sovereignty, non-interference, and justice in international relations. He mentioned Russia’s support for multi-platform cooperation among associations like the EAEU, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and ASEAN to bolster economic connectivity and foster an expanded Asia-Europe partnership. He also highlighted BRICS as a promising platform for interaction with Vietnam.
Acknowledging the vast potential for bilateral collaboration, Bezdetko expressed Russia’s desire for closer and more effective cooperation in energy, industrial production, science and technology, education and training, national defense and security, trade, and investment, as well as consistent implementation of high-level agreements. Key tasks include ensuring broad peace and security, combating terrorism, transnational crimes, and drug trafficking, and addressing existing and emerging challenges and threats.
Russia is ready to provide Vietnam with advanced, reliable, and stable technologies in clean energy, especially nuclear power. In education, Russia has established a union of technical universities to expand the training of experts in high technology, information technology, energy, and aircraft production. It has offered Vietnam the largest quota of free education, with 1,000 scholarships. Regular cultural and educational events celebrate the shared history and values of both countries, with people-to-people diplomacy remaining a crucial tool for bilateral interactions.
In conclusion, Bezdetko affirmed that Vietnam and Russia share a rich history and extensive cooperation in most areas, underpinned by political dialogue, humanitarian exchanges, and similar development orientations, providing a solid foundation for their comprehensive strategic partnership.
