At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung is leading a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to attend the Commemorative Summit marking the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations and conduct bilateral activities in Kazan, Russia, from June 16 to 18.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s visit is expected to make an important contribution to strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and Russia, while further enhancing political trust, deepening the Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and expanding bilateral cooperation across a wide range of fields, including investment, energy, and oil and gas.

A CLOSE AND DEEP-ROOTED FRIENDSHIP

Having withstood the test of time, the strong relationship between Viet Nam and Russia continues to flourish, built upon a foundation of comradeship, solidarity, and the sincere and selfless support the two peoples have extended to each other in the past. The year 2025 marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Russia. The Vietnamese people will never forget the wholehearted and invaluable assistance provided by the former Soviet Union and present-day Russia to Viet Nam’s struggle for national independence and its subsequent nation-building and development. Viet Nam consistently attaches great importance to strengthening its traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia across all areas of cooperation.

On the afternoon of May 18, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung received the Russian Ambassador to Viet Nam, Gennady Bezdetko, at the Government Headquarters. During the meeting, the Ambassador reaffirmed that Russia highly values its traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Viet Nam, regarding the country as one of its most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

The close bonds between the two nations stem not only from strong political, economic, and multifaceted cooperation, but also from a deep cultural affinity. Numerous literary works by celebrated Russian authors have become familiar to generations of Vietnamese readers. Likewise, generations of Vietnamese students who have studied in Russia have always retained a deep and enduring affection for the country. Among the factors underpinning the strong Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the Vietnamese community in Russia stands out as an important people-to-people bridge.

The Vietnamese community in Russia has consistently organised and participated in activities that strengthen solidarity and foster a sense of connection to their homeland among overseas Vietnamese, while also promoting deeper mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries, including sporting competitions and cultural and artistic exchange programmes.

PROUD ACHIEVEMENTS IN BILATERAL COOPERATION

In recent years, the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation have achieved significant progress. Political and diplomatic relations have been strengthened through frequent high-level exchanges and contacts between the two countries.

Bilateral trade has regained positive growth momentum, reaching 4.77 billion USD in 2025. During the first four months of 2026, two-way trade amounted to 1.72 billion USD, up 9.22% compared with the same period in 2025. Defence and security cooperation has also developed positively, particularly with the expansion of collaboration into maritime affairs.

Oil and gas as well as energy cooperation, one of the key pillars of Viet Nam-Russia relations, has continued to advance. In March 2026, an agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the construction of a nuclear power plant in the territory of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam was signed. The agreement marks an important milestone in bilateral cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy and will contribute to ensuring Viet Nam’s long-term energy security. The project is expected to become a long-term strategic undertaking and a symbol of Viet Nam-Russia cooperation in the new era.

Tourism cooperation has recorded remarkable growth, driven by a significant increase in the number of direct flights. During the first five months of 2026, Viet Nam welcomed 618,000 Russian visitors, representing an increase of 194% compared with the same period in 2025. The total number of Russian arrivals is forecast to exceed one million visitors for the year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Russia is currently Viet Nam’s largest source market in Europe and the third largest worldwide.

Cultural exchange activities have been organised regularly, helping to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Viet Nam and Russia. The two countries annually host and alternate the organisation of Days of Culture events in both Viet Nam and Russia.

Cooperation in science and technology has also been maintained and strengthened. The two sides have implemented numerous research and technology-transfer projects. Scientific cooperation within the framework of the Tropical Centre in Viet Nam has delivered positive results. Both countries are currently implementing the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Centre project and organising activities under the framework of the 2026 Cross Year of Cooperation in Science and Education.

Locality-to-locality cooperation has continued to be maintained through delegation exchanges and the signing of many cooperation agreements. About 20 pairs of cooperative ties between localities of the two countries have been established.

BRIDGE FOR ASEAN-RUSSIA RELATIONS

Russia officially became a full Dialogue Partner of ASEAN at the 29th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Jakarta in July 1996, opening the official cooperation framework between the two sides. At the first ASEAN-Russia Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur on December 13, 2005, the two sides signed the Joint Declaration on Progressive and Comprehensive Partnership, setting out cooperation orientations in the fields of politics-security, economics, and development; and adopted the ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action for the 2005-2015 period to concretise cooperation goals.

Relations between the two sides continued to be consolidated at the second ASEAN-Russia Summit, held in Ha Noi on November 30, 2010. The summit reaffirmed the commitment to deepening the progressive and comprehensive partnership, while strengthening coordination in the evolving regional architecture in Asia-Pacific. This was also a milestone demonstrating Viet Nam’s active role in promoting ASEAN-Russia relations and Russia’s participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms, notably including the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of dialogue relations, ASEAN and Russia held the Commemorative Summit in Sochi in 2016 under the theme “Moving Towards a Strategic Partnership for Mutual Benefit.” At the summit, the leaders adopted the Sochi Declaration, setting out the direction for the development of relations in the next phase. A major milestone in ASEAN–Russia relations was the third summit in Singapore in November 2018, when both sides agreed to elevate their ties to a strategic partnership.

At present, ASEAN-Russia cooperation is implemented within the framework of the Comprehensive Action Plan 2021-2025 to realise the strategic partnership. Cooperative activities are also supported through the ASEAN–Russia Dialogue Partnership Financial Fund, established in 2007. Russia appointed its first Ambassador to ASEAN in 2009 after the ASEAN Charter came into effect. In 2017, the Russian Mission to ASEAN was officially established, further strengthening the coordination mechanism and policy dialogue with ASEAN.

Viet Nam supports strengthening the ASEAN–Russia Strategic Partnership; promoting dialogue and effective cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including cooperation in economics and trade, energy, science and technology, education and training, and responses to non-traditional security challenges; expanding cooperation between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and BRICS; and enhancing coordination with Russia within the ASEAN–Russia cooperation framework. Effective ASEAN–Russia cooperation will provide a solid foundation and practical support for promoting bilateral cooperation between Viet Nam and Russia.

According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s working visit is not only about attending a summit but also marks an important preparatory step for Viet Nam to make deeper contributions to shaping ASEAN–Russia cooperation in the coming years. In that spirit, Viet Nam will focus on several major priorities.

First, Viet Nam will work with other countries to promote a practical, balanced, and results-oriented approach to ASEAN–Russia cooperation. Priority will be given to unlocking the potential of areas that have not been fully exploited, including trade, science, technology, digital transformation, non-traditional security, education, training, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and especially energy. Second, Viet Nam wishes to help expand the scope of cooperation between ASEAN and the Eurasian region. This practical cooperation direction will enable ASEAN–Russia relations to go beyond political dialogue and created greater tangible benefits for businesses, localities, and people on both sides. Third, Viet Nam will join other countries in exchanging views on regional and international situations, particularly issues directly affecting peace, stability, energy security, supply chains, and development.

Following Viet Nam's proactive and responsible contributions at the 48th ASEAN Summit and its successful hosting of the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF 2026), Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's participation in the ASEAN – Russia Commemorative Summit continues to reflect Viet Nam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, as well as diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, in line with the spirit of the 14th National Party Congress.