A shining symbol of international solidarity and friendship
Upon the Vietnamese delegation’s arrival in Moscow, a large number of overseas Vietnamese, including students, gathered to warmly welcome General Secretary To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and other delegates. Everyone was excited and joyful because these days are a great holiday for the Russian people - Victory Day.
Sharing the commemorative atmosphere with this great friend and close comrade, national pride surged in the Vietnamese community as they witnessed the officers and soldiers of the Viet Nam People's Army, from their homeland, diligently practising to prepare for the military parade at Red Square and now honoured to welcome General Secretary To Lam and his spouse.
The weather in May remained cold, but people's hearts are very warm. The Vietnamese community shared a moving moment with the General Secretary and the delegation as they laid floral tributes at Ho Chi Minh Square and Le Duan Square, honouring the great leader of the nation and the outstanding statesman of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, who devoted their whole lives to bringing freedom, prosperity and happiness to the people.
For the first time, the Viet Nam People’s Army marched side by side with Russian military units on Red Square during the Victory Day celebration, everyone was moved to remember the beloved Uncle Ho, the previous generations of Vietnamese who sacrificed their blood and bones for Viet Nam today, and to feel the individual responsibility in the common responsibility of the generation, making efforts to build Viet Nam to become increasingly rich and strong, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers.
The visit of General Secretary To Lam took place at a historical moment, was symbolic, and had extremely important significance, consolidating the traditional close relationship between the two countries, affirming the sustainable value of the 75-year journey of diplomatic relations establishment. Russia celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Great Patriotic War on the occasion of Viet Nam celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.
In meetings with Russian leaders, General Secretary To Lam reiterated the historic significance of Victory Day on May 9, 1945, marking the end of one of human history’s darkest chapters and opening a new era of peace, liberation, construction and development. That victory inspired colonised peoples, including Viet Nam, to rise up and overthrow the colonial and imperial domination, restore peace and unify the country.
According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi, the special affection between the peoples of Viet Nam and the Soviet Union (formerly), the Russian Federation (today) is a shining symbol of international solidarity and friendship. The people of the two countries have shared many historical values closely linked with each other.
In 1941, under the direction of President Ho Chi Minh, seven Vietnamese volunteers joined the Red Army to defend Moscow; three of them heroically laid down their lives. In October 2024, the Russian Federation inaugurated a monument to honour the three Vietnamese soldiers, recognising the Vietnamese people’s contribution to the Soviet people’s common struggle in the Great Patriotic War.
During the resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, the Soviet Union gave Viet Nam profound and wholehearted support and assistance. It provided Viet Nam with a large amount of modern weapons and military equipment; thousands of Soviet experts worked directly in Viet Nam, shared experiences, and accompanied the Vietnamese army and people in the most difficult moments.
In times of peace, Soviet experts stood side by side with Viet Nam to build important projects, laying the foundation for socio-economic development after the war. Many large economic projects are still operating effectively, such as the Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Plant and Thang Long Bridge.
Thousands of Vietnamese cadres trained in the Soviet Union have become key cadres and leading experts, making important contributions to the cause of building and defending the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland.
Chairman of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin affirmed that true friendship is always tested in difficult times. The people of both countries have always supported and assisted each other. That relationship has never been affected by the Cold War or misunderstandings.
More and more Russians are interested in Viet Nam, while many Vietnamese people maintain special feelings for Russia and its culture. This is an important foundation for the friendship and solidarity between the two peoples to be inherited and promoted by the younger generation.
This sentiment was felt at the meeting of General Secretary To Lam at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), where over 1,500 people attended to listen to his speech. Applause broke out when the General Secretary affirmed: In the world, few countries have always held such a deep, steadfast affection in the hearts of generations of Vietnamese people as the former Soviet Union and today's Russia.
Beyond the geographical distance, the two countries have great similarities in history, spirit, vision and values. Both nations are “in tune” in spirit, “share the same fate” to overcome challenges and “accompany” each other on the path of development, bonded most of all by comradeship and brotherhood. As President Vladimir Putin assessed: “We both have a heroic past in labour as well as in fighting”.
Seizing present and future opportunities together
Despite being busy with the Victory celebrations, Russian leaders extended a warm and respectful welcome to General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation.
Welcoming the delegation, President Vladimir Putin affirmed the great significance of the visit and expressed sincere thanks to General Secretary To Lam, his wife Ngo Phuong Ly and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation for attending the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and for the participation of the Viet Nam People’s Army in the military parade on Red Square.
President Putin emphasised that Russia–Viet Nam relations have withstood the test of time over the 75 years since diplomatic ties were established, have mutually supported not only during wartime, but also in the current period of peace.
During the talks, General Secretary To Lam and President Putin highly appreciated the positive development of the Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in many fields, especially economic, trade, energy, education-training, science-technology, and innovation cooperation.
To emphasise the great significance of this visit, the two leaders agreed on the need for specific projects that symbolise the Viet Nam-Russia friendship in the new era. The two leaders agreed to issue a Joint Statement on major orientations of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new cooperation period.
On this occasion, the governments and agencies of the two countries signed many documents and cooperation agreements, consolidating the legal basis for promoting bilateral relations in the fields of diplomacy, defense, oil and gas exploration, nuclear energy for purposes of peace, science and technology, justice, health, education and training, culture, and aviation.
Russian Ambassador to Viet Nam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko said that Russia prioritises promoting the Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, in which it always values and wishes to further strengthen the close friendship with Viet Nam, one of Russia's key partners in the Southeast Asian region.
General Secretary To Lam stated that defence-security cooperation plays a special role in the overall Viet Nam-Russia relationship, promptly meeting the demands of the current situation, while contributing to ensuring peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
Science and technology, innovation and digital transformation cooperation are key areas between the two countries, including basic science, information technology, artificial intelligence, automation, biomedical technology and renewable energy cooperation.
2026 will be the science, technology and innovation cooperation year between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation, they must effectively implement research cooperation projects in priority areas, especially strengthening atomic energy cooperation, and effectively implement the project on building a Research Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Viet Nam. The construction of a nuclear power plant is a high priority for Viet Nam.
The former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation today are a science and technology powerhouse. Its basic research is very good and has recently developed strongly from basic to applied research. Russia has also achieved many important achievements in nuclear, quantum, artificial intelligence, new science and technology, and green energy.
This is very necessary for Viet Nam to learn and take advantage of the experience, technology, and capital of the Russian Federation to develop the country. Viet Nam has restarted the nuclear power project. Nuclear cooperation is also a priority between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation. There are also many other cooperation areas between the two countries, such as transportation and logistics.
According to Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi, the prospects for Viet Nam–Russia cooperation are vast. What matters now is for ministries, sectors and localities on both sides to seize the opportunities and effectively implement high-level agreements to promote cooperation. Besides traditional pillars like security, defence and oil and gas cooperation, both countries are exploring new areas of cooperation and seek new driving forces to promote relations, particularly science and technology cooperation.
Honouring past achievements together is a vital compass for Viet Nam and the Russian Federation to seize present opportunities and work hand in hand towards a brighter future for the two peoples.
