During a meeting in Hanoi, the leaders of Vietnam and Russia expressed their desire to enhance bilateral relations. Vietnamese President To Lam praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, congratulating him on his recent re-election.
Putin, in response, emphasized that reinforcing the strategic partnership with Vietnam is a priority for Russia. This visit to Vietnam, following his high-profile trip to North Korea, signals the continuing diplomatic support Russia enjoys in the region.
“Congratulations to our comrade for receiving overwhelming support during the recent presidential election, underlining the confidence of the Russian people,” President Lam said, welcoming Putin with a red carpet reception.
The United States has criticized the visit, arguing it provides a platform for Putin to promote his aggressive actions in Ukraine.
Vietnam values its historical ties with Russia while also seeking to strengthen relationships with Europe and the US. A prominent symbol of this relationship is the five-meter high statue of Lenin in Ba Dinh, Hanoi’s political quarter, where senior Vietnamese officials annually pay tribute on Lenin’s birthday.
The connection between Vietnam and Russia dates back to the 1950s, when the Soviet Union offered significant military, economic, and diplomatic support to North Vietnam. This relationship deepened in 1978 when Vietnam, facing isolation and sanctions from China and the West, relied heavily on Soviet assistance after its invasion of Cambodia to overthrow the Khmer Rouge.
Today, Vietnam’s economy has transformed through global market integration, and Russia has become less prominent compared to China, Asia, the US, and Europe in trade. However, Vietnam continues to depend on Russian-made military equipment and collaborates with Russian oil companies for oil exploration in the South China Sea.