This is President Putin's first visit to Vietnam after he was elected President of the Russian Federation for the 2024-2030 term in March 2024.

During a phone call with Russian President Putin on March 26, 2024, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized that Vietnam considers the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the Russian Federation one of the top priorities in its foreign policy.

President Putin affirmed that Vietnam is always a friend and reliable partner of the Russian Federation. President Putin expressed his delight at the positive developments in bilateral relations in all fields.

The two leaders discussed and agreed on a number of major orientations to promote bilateral cooperation in the coming time in areas such as security-defense, economy-trade, culture, tourism, etc.

As President of Russia, Mr. Putin has visited Vietnam four times during his terms.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in in March 2024. Photo: Sputnik

The first time was in March 2001, he officially visited Vietnam, during which the two countries issued a joint statement on strategic partnership.

The second time was in November 2006, President Putin paid an official visit to Vietnam after attending the 14th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held in Hanoi.

The third time was in November 2013, Mr. Putin paid a state visit to Vietnam. During the visit, the two countries issued a joint statement to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

For the fourth time in November 2017, Russian President Putin came to Da Nang to attend the APEC Summit 2017 and other activities within the framework of the APEC Summit Week 2017.

President Putin's visit this time takes place in the context that 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the basic principles of friendly relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation (1994-2024).

Vietnam and the Russian Federation established diplomatic relations in January 1950. The friendship between the Vietnamese people and the people of the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation has a long history, has been tested by time, and has been cultivated by many generations of leaders and people of the two countries.

Over nearly 75 years, the relationship between the two countries has become increasingly deeper with good results in the fields of economics, trade, investment, education, health, security, defense, etc.

The 24th session of the Russia-Vietnam Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Trade and Scientific and Technical Cooperation in 2023 discussed the effectiveness of the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam; directions to strive to bring bilateral trade turnover to 10 billion USD by 2030.

Some potential areas of cooperation between the two countries include the automotive industry, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, and information technology.

In terms of education and training, Russia continues to train human resources for Vietnam. 2024 marks 70 years since the first Vietnamese students came to study in the Soviet Union in 1954. Since 2019, Vietnam has been granted 1,000 scholarships by the Russian Government.

Regarding scientific and technological cooperation, the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center is a large scientific and technological research center, one of the major cooperation agencies of the two countries. The Center is conducting many studies in various fields to benefit the people of the two countries.

Russia supports Vietnam to become a member of BRICS in an appropriate form.

Russia supports Vietnam to become a member of BRICS in an appropriate form.

Russia supports Vietnam's participation in BRICS, in a form suitable to Vietnam's choice.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong holds high-level phone talks with Russian President Putin

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong holds high-level phone talks with Russian President Putin

During the phone call, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong respectfully invited President Putin to make an official visit to Vietnam soon. President Putin happily accepted the invitation and agreed that the two sides would coordinate to make arrangements.