Vietnam PM hosts official welcome ceremony for visiting Russian counterpart

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday presided over an official welcome ceremony for Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin, who is making an official visit to Vietnam on January 14-15.

The trip, over six months after the state visit by President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, marks PM Mishustin’s first visit to Vietnam and the first official visit by a high-ranking foreign leader to Vietnam in 2025.

During the ceremony, the two leaders saluted the national flags of both countries, reviewed the guard of honor of the Vietnam People's Army, and introduced the members of their respective high-level delegations.

Following the welcome ceremony, they toured a photo exhibition showcasing the countries’ landscapes, people, and bilateral relations. The exhibition was jointly organized by the Government Office and Vietnam News Agency. Then the two PMs held talks.

The visit comes as Vietnam and Russia continue to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership, toward the celebration of the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950-2025).

Building on the longstanding and fruitful relationship, it is expected to foster even closer and more effective cooperation, paving the way for a promising future for both. Related discussions will include a review of bilateral cooperation, solutions to existing challenges, and updates on key collaborative projects, particularly in energy and industry.

Vietnam and the former Soviet Union established diplomatic relations on January 30, 1950. After more than 70 years with constant efforts from the generations of leaders and people of both countries, the two nations have made giant steps on their path of cooperation for mutual development, according to the Vietnamese government's news portal.

In 1994, Vietnam and Russia signed the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations, which laid the groundwork and legal basis for the bilateral relationship in new period.

The two countries upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership in 2001 and to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012. In 2021, the two issued a Joint Statement on 2030 Vision for Development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

During President Putin’s state visit in June 2024, Vietnam and Russia issued a Joint Statement affirming that the two countries will continuously strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership based on friendship and mutual support amidst a complex international landscape.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, security-defense, especially in infrastructure and energy. The visit witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation agreements in various areas.

Bilateral trade has grown rapidly, particularly since the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union officially came into effect in October 2016.

Two-way trade increased from $3.63 billion in 2023 to $4.57 billion last year. As of November 2024, Russia had 199 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of approximately $990 million, ranking 26th out of 147 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, Vietnamese official data shows.

Russian investment projects cover oil and gas, mining, processing industries, and manufacturing in 21 localities.

Vietnam has 18 investment projects in Russia, with total registered capital of $1.63 billion.

There are currently around 60,000 Vietnamese people living in Russia.