Creating new momentum to elevate Viet Nam–Russia relations to higher level

Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Pham Minh Chinh and a high-level Vietnamese delegation successfully concluded their official visit to the Russian Federation from March 22 to 25, at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

The visit reciprocated invitations from senior Russian leaders, including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who paid an official visit to Viet Nam in January 2025. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip represents a concrete implementation of Viet Nam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, as well as diversification and multilateralisation, as endorsed by the 14th National Party Congress.

With a series of significant activities, the visit contributed to consolidating the longstanding traditional friendship between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation, laying a foundation for both countries to realise their future development aspirations.

Strengthening political trust and laying foundation for comprehensive cooperation

During the visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held multiple meetings with senior Russian leaders. Both sides exchanged views on major directions for future cooperation and agreed to initiate concrete joint projects aligned with Viet Nam’s current development priorities, including new energy, infrastructure and transport connectivity, high technology, biomedicine, healthcare, and high-quality human resource training.

At the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that the Party, State and Government of Viet Nam consistently attach great importance to the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and Russia. He expressed a desire to further deepen bilateral ties, build on existing strengths, effectively harness each country’s potential and advantages, and promote cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit—serving national development goals, benefiting both peoples, and contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Welcoming Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the high-level Vietnamese delegation, President Vladimir Putin emphasised that the visit, by the first key Vietnamese leader to visit Russia following the 14th National Party Congress, holds great significance in maintaining and advancing bilateral cooperation. He also expressed high appreciation for the Prime Minister’s contributions and sentiments towards bilateral relations, affirming that Pham Minh Chinh is a close friend of Russia and its people, as well as a trusted comrade.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in bilateral relations, particularly following the official visit to Russia by Party General Secretary To Lam in May 2025 and the telephone talks between General Secretary To Lam and President Vladimir Putin immediately after the conclusion of the 14th National Party Congress. These engagements have helped shape strategic directions and create fresh momentum for cooperation across multiple sectors.

In an atmosphere of friendship, trust and sincerity, the two leaders exchanged information on their respective socio-economic development situations, orientations and strategies. They noted with satisfaction that, thanks to the efforts of both governments, ministries, sectors and localities, multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Russia has been developing robustly. Delegation exchanges at all levels, especially at the high level, have been maintained; bilateral trade has grown positively; and people-to-people exchanges have been regularly organised. Increasing numbers of Russian tourists are visiting Viet Nam, while more Vietnamese students are studying in Russia.

Both sides agreed on the need to further strengthen political trust through high-level and multi-level exchanges across all channels including Party, State, Government, National Assembly, localities, businesses and people-to-people exchanges. They also committed to maintaining effective existing cooperation mechanisms, including the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, while exploring the establishment of new mechanisms.

The two sides pledged to enhance economic, trade and investment cooperation, encourage and facilitate businesses from both countries to invest and operate in each other’s markets, strengthen business connectivity, diversify markets and supply chains, and address institutional, payment and transport barriers—aiming to increase bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner.

Energy and oil and gas cooperation, science and technology, innovation, and infrastructure development were identified as key priority areas aligned with the development needs of both countries. Highly appreciating the efforts of both countries, including the two governments, in concluding negotiations and signing the agreement for the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant in Viet Nam on the basis of ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with international standards, President Vladimir Putin affirmed that this is an important direction of cooperation, contributing to ensuring energy security and sustainable development. He stated that he would instruct the Russian government to urgently implement the next steps and soon launch the project, so that it becomes a new symbol of Viet Nam-Russia friendship in the new era.

Both sides agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation in the fields of military technology, security, and science and technology. They also agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges; create favourable conditions for travel for citizens of both countries, thereby promoting tourism and attracting more Russian tourists to Viet Nam and Vietnamese tourists to Russia. Both sides agreed to increase scholarships for Vietnamese students to increase the number of Vietnamese students studying in Russia.

The two leaders spent time sharing views on regional and international issues of mutual concern; agreed to continue to coordinate closely and support each other in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and ASEAN; and to make positive contributions to maintaining peace, cooperation, and development in the region and around the world.

During the talks with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated the Russian Federation on its achievements in socio-economic development under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin and the administration of the Russian Government, as well as the guidance of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin personally. In an atmosphere of friendship, trust, sincerity, and mutual understanding, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin informed each other about the political and socio-economic situation in their respective countries.

The two leaders reviewed the achievements in bilateral cooperation over the past time, affirming that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has continued to develop comprehensively in all fields, from economy, trade, and investment, security and defence, energy and oil and gas, to humanitarian cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Political trust and close ties between the two countries have continuously increased.

The two sides also exchanged in-depth and substantive views on the current state and prospects of the relationship, agreeing that there is still much room for cooperation and expressing confidence that the Viet Nam-Russia relationship will continue to develop positively, in line with the development requirements of both countries. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening dialogue, consolidating political trust, promoting contacts and exchanges of delegations at all levels and through all channels, creating a foundation for comprehensive bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of economy, trade, investment, energy, oil and gas, agriculture, transportation, logistics, education and training, culture, tourism, science and technology, local cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

Both sides affirmed their determination to elevate economic, trade, and investment cooperation to become a leading and pioneering force in bilateral cooperation; effectively implement the Free Trade Agreement between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union, of which Russia is a member; further open markets for each other’s exports; and promote bilateral investment activities. Both sides acknowledged the achievements in energy and oil and gas cooperation between the two countries in recent years, including the participation and contributions of joint ventures from both countries in this field. In addition, both sides agreed to promptly research and expand cooperation in the fields of new energy, clean energy, and renewable energy, contributing to green transition and sustainable development.

The two Prime Ministers agreed that cooperation in science and technology should truly become a new pillar of cooperation; agreed to promote the organization of exchange activities within the framework of the 2026 Cross-Year on Science and Education; leverage existing cooperation platforms to further expand potential projects, especially in the fields of information technology and artificial intelligence (AI), and expand scientific research cooperation within the framework of the Viet Nam-Russia Tropical Centre. The Prime Minister requested Russia to continue assisting Viet Nam in training high-quality human resources, increasing the number of scholarships for Viet Nam, especially in the fields of digital technology, new technologies, biomedical science, transportation, basic sciences, and academic arts...

Following the talks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin witnessed the signing ceremony of the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in building a nuclear power plant on the territory of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

At the headquarters of the Federation Council (upper house) of Russia in Moskva, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia Valentina Matviyenko. Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko congratulated Viet Nam on the successful organisation of the elections for the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, expressing confidence that the new National Assembly would continue to cooperate closely and constructively with the Federal Assembly of Russia, thereby further strengthening the Viet Nam–Russian Federation relationship.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the role of the two countries’ parliaments, including the Viet Nam–Russian Federation Parliamentary Friendship Group, in promoting bilateral relations in recent years. The two leaders agreed that, in the coming period, it is necessary to continue enhancing delegation exchanges at all levels and across all channels, including parliamentary channels, thereby reinforcing political trust and creating a solid foundation for comprehensive cooperation.

Both sides also agreed to further promote the role of the two parliaments in coordinating the supervision of the implementation of agreements reached between the two governments in such areas as economic and trade cooperation, energy and oil and gas, high technology and science, security and defence, human resource training and infrastructure; to support the removal of legal obstacles in order to facilitate effective cooperation in the new era; and to intensify cooperation in culture, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and inter-locality connectivity.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also met with Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin, along with representatives of various political parties in the State Duma.

Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin affirmed that the State Duma of Russia stands ready to coordinate with the Vietnamese side to implement high-level agreements, bringing the Viet Nam–Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into greater depth, substance and effectiveness. The Russian parliament will continue to work closely with the National Assembly of Viet Nam in developing and refining the legal framework for bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of economic and trade relations, energy, and education and training.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the role of the State Duma of Russia and Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin in perfecting the legal framework, facilitating the implementation of high-level agreements, and supporting the execution of specific cooperation programmes, plans and projects, thereby promoting and deepening Viet Nam–Russia cooperation. He also expressed gratitude for the attention, favourable conditions and security assurances provided by the Russian parliament to the Vietnamese community living, working and studying in Russia, enabling them to integrate into local society and serve as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their peoples.

At a meeting with Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoigu, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Russian Security Council Secretary agreed to enhance cooperation in military-technical fields, high-quality human resource training, and to effectively promote the role of the Viet Nam–Russia Tropical Centre in advancing cooperation in science and technology. The two leaders affirmed that there remains significant potential and scope for expanding cooperation across all areas; and agreed to support relevant agencies of both countries in strengthening information exchange and cooperation in addressing both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, thereby contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and globally, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law.

Receiving Gennady Zyuganov, Chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and members of its leadership, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated the party on increasingly affirming and consolidating its prestige in Russian politics and for its positive contributions in helping Russia overcome difficulties in recent times. He expressed confidence that Russia, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin and other leaders, would overcome challenges and continue to develop robustly.

Reviewing key milestones in Viet Nam–Russian Federation relations, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that, under any circumstances, the special affection between the peoples, the two nations and the two Parties will never change, but will continue to be strengthened for the development of each country and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.     

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his hope that the two Parties would continue to enhance exchanges of experience in Party organisation, building and rectification; promote theoretical exchanges, practical research, vision-building and cadre training; and contribute to preserving, nurturing and deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the benefit of the two peoples and for peace, cooperation, stability and development in the region and the world.

Affirming the sentiments, mutual support, and assistance between the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and the Communist Party of Viet Nam, as well as his personal affection for Viet Nam, the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation agreed to enhance exchanges of high-level delegations between the two Parties, share information on each Party’s activities, actively support the promotion of relations between the mass organisations of the two Parties, and strengthen coordination and mutual support at multilateral political party forums, as well as at events jointly attended and organised by both sides.

Tapping bilateral cooperation potential

Enhancing Viet Nam–Russia cooperation in the energy sector is one of the key highlights of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s working visit.

Within the framework of the visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and worked with Novatek Group, a leading Russian corporation in the natural gas sector, to promote major liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Viet Nam. The Prime Minister highly appreciated Novatek’s proactive exchanges and cooperation with Vietnamese partners, and proposed that Novatek closely coordinate with local authorities, agencies, and state-owned enterprises in Viet Nam’s energy and oil and gas sectors to participate in and implement projects, including the construction of Novatek’s large-scale storage facilities in Viet Nam. At the same time, the Prime Minister encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to strengthen cooperation with Novatek in LNG technology.

Affirming that both sides share demand and ideas for cooperation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh supported Novatek in expanding its investment activities in Viet Nam in accordance with legal regulations, taking into account the foundation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Russia, and the results achieved in energy cooperation between the two sides, while ensuring effective cooperation and fair competition with other partners and investors. The Prime Minister welcomed Novatek’s participation in developing LNG port and storage infrastructure projects, LNG power plants, and the stable supply of LNG to the Vietnamese market.

Novatek’s leadership expressed strong agreement and stated that they would actively engage with Vietnamese partners to advance the projects and cooperation activities highlighted by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

During a visit and working session with Zarubezhneft Company — a leading partner of Viet Nam in the oil and gas sector, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that energy cooperation is a pillar of bilateral relations, with a long-term strategic vision spanning a century. At the meeting, where he witnessed the signing of specific contracts between enterprises, the Prime Minister welcomed and highly appreciated the efforts of the parties in completing negotiations and signing these documents, marking the successful implementation of protocols and intergovernmental agreements on expanding areas of operation in geological exploration and oil and gas exploitation.

At the meeting, Zarubezhneft’s leadership reported to the Prime Minister on cooperation projects in Viet Nam and Russia, as well as orientations for future cooperation.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also visited the Atomic Energy Museum and the Moscow Metro Joint Operations Centre of Russia. These are two areas in which Russia has strong capabilities and Viet Nam is focusing on development. According to the Prime Minister, the former Soviet Union and present-day Russian Federation have implemented concrete cooperation projects with Viet Nam in research and development of atomic energy for peaceful purposes. During this working visit, the two countries signed an agreement on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Viet Nam to ensure national energy security. With Viet Nam’s strategy of rapid and sustainable development based on science, technology, and innovation, the Prime Minister expressed his hope that Viet Nam and the Russian Federation will continue to strengthen cooperation in the atomic field for peaceful purposes, including not only atomic energy development but also research and application of atomic science in fields such as medicine, food industry, and agriculture.

Attending the Viet Nam–Russian Federation Business Forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh noted that economic relations between the two countries have yet to match their political and diplomatic ties and still hold considerable potential. During this official visit to the Russian Federation, the Prime Minister held talks and meetings with Russian leaders and visited various economic and social establishments to promote comprehensive cooperation, particularly to further advance economic relations through concrete projects. He expressed confidence that, based on the strong political and diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Russia, businesses of both countries will undertake more concrete investment cooperation projects in the coming period, contributing to elevating bilateral relations to a new, more practical and effective level and to the rapid and sustainable development of each country.

Highly appreciating Viet Nam’s growth rate as well as its economic development strategy, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernychenko stated that Russia has strengths and stands ready to cooperate with and invest in Viet Nam in areas such as energy, agriculture, and transport. Specifically, Russia is prepared to expand cooperation in new energy, clean energy, and renewable energy, contributing to green transition and sustainable development.

At the forum, businesses from both countries exchanged four cooperation agreements in the fields of oil and gas, maritime transport, railways, and logistics.

As part of the visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with leaders of the TH Group regarding the TH dairy farming and milk processing complex project in Russia and visited the National University of Science and Technology MISIS, among other engagements.

Bridging Viet Nam–Russia friendship

During his official visit to Russia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a cordial meeting with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Russia.

Expressing the Party and state’s concern and care for overseas Vietnamese in general and those in Russia in particular, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of Party and state leaders and General Secretary To Lam, extended warm greetings, heartfelt regards, and best wishes from the homeland to the community, imbued with the spirit of “national solidarity and compatriot affection.”

The relationship between Viet Nam and Russia is one with a long-standing traditional foundation, nurtured over three-quarters of a century. Despite geographical distance, our two peoples and nations are not only in harmony in spirit, ideals, and vision, but they have also stood side by side through numerous hardships and challenges to continue developing.

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh

Through specific stories from the history of cooperation between the two countries — especially between their peoples, and particularly in times of hardship — the prime minister affirmed that despite periods of ups and downs and breakthroughs, the faithful bond between the Russian and Vietnamese peoples has remained unchanged and should continue to be preserved, nurtured, and promoted.

Emphasising that overseas Vietnamese are an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation, the prime minister noted that in recent years the Party and state have consistently paid attention to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Vietnamese, supporting them in stabilising their lives, integrating more deeply into host societies, and preserving Vietnamese cultural identity. The Party and State also continue to listen to and incorporate feedback from the diaspora in policymaking, most recently through amendments to the Law on Nationality to better meet their aspirations.

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that Vietnamese people, wherever they live or work and at whatever level, will always turn towards the homeland, follow its developments closely, and contribute their dedication, intellect, and resilience to building a prosperous, strong, and flourishing nation. He expressed confidence that the Vietnamese community in Russia will remain united, stand together, nurture national solidarity and love for the homeland, and carry forward the aspiration to contribute to a more prosperous, civilised, and happy Viet Nam as it advances steadily towards socialism, while also contributing to deepening, strengthening, and enhancing the effectiveness of Viet Nam–Russia relations.

Meanwhile, Russian media have widely covered the Prime Minister’s activities during his official visit. A key highlight attracting particular attention was the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in building a nuclear power plant in Viet Nam, with the participation of the state energy corporation Rosatom. Russian observers have described this as a “timely and strategic” move amid Viet Nam’s rapidly growing energy demand. Russian television also highlighted symbolic details in bilateral relations, such as leaders greeting each other in Russian during high-level meetings, reflecting the long-standing bond and mutual trust between the two countries.