Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Đặng Minh Khôi. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Đặng Minh Khôi has expressed his belief that the upcoming state visit to Russia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm from September 7-9 will make important contributions to elevating bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, meeting the aspirations and interests of both countries and their people and for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency's correspondents in Moscow, Ambassador Khôi said it is the first time Việt Nam's top leader in his capacity as General Secretary and President has paid a state visit to Russia, which is a vivid testament to the durability of a relationship that has outlasted rapid changes in the world.

The visit signals that both Việt Nam and Russia attach great importance to their friendly cooperation, reflecting the aspirations and political will of their leaders and people to inherit and carry forward their long-standing traditional friendship, while sharing a strong determination to consolidate and deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership. Việt Nam counts Russia among the top priorities in its foreign policy while Russia views Việt Nam as a leading Asia-Pacific partner.

As part of the visit, the Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize Foundation will present the Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize to General Secretary and President Lâm, a recognition from the international community in general and Russia in particular for Việt Nam's and its top leader's push for a fair world order based on international law.

According to him, both Việt Nam and Russia attach particular importance to fostering high-level political ties, jointly repositioning and further elevating comprehensive bilateral cooperation in the new situation. He believed that General Secretary and President Lâm and President Putin will devote considerable time to in-depth discussions on major strategic orientations to elevating bilateral ties, opening up new avenues for cooperation across various areas where both sides have needs and strengths, while discussing major global and regional issues. A number of important cooperation documents are in final preparation for signing.

Defence, security, energy and oil-and-gas cooperation remain pillars with room for expansion. An agreement to build Việt Nam’s first nuclear power plant, alongside broadened oil and gas cooperation, will bolster the country’s energy security. The visit coincides with the 45th anniversary of Vietsovpetro, the flagship bilateral energy venture. Leaders will discuss measures enabling oil and gas companies to expand exploration under favourable terms, while extending cooperation into clean and renewable energy, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and energy storage infrastructure in Việt Nam.

Trade and investment will also feature. Russian exports of food, pharmaceuticals, minerals, machinery and equipment to Việt Nam are rising, while Vietnamese apparel, electronics and agricultural products are gaining shelf space in Russian retail and e-commerce. This year marks a decade since the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement took effect, and both sides are weighing further trade expansion.

Science, technology and education–training offer additional scope. Russia retains strengths in nuclear technology, new materials, aerospace applications, AI, cybersecurity and biotechnology. The countries are advancing a nuclear science and technology centre in Việt Nam and building a bilateral intellectual network. Việt Nam is prioritising Russian scholarships in basic research, technology, culture and arts to develop skilled labour.

Aviation and logistics cooperation is on the agenda, including more direct air routes, expanded maritime shipping and enhanced rail cargo transit through China. Localities are also exploring cooperation in metro and urban rail systems.

Cultural and people-to-people ties will be discussed as a foundation for public support. Russia is weighing visa exemptions for Vietnamese citizens, with an initial agreement under negotiation for Vietnamese tourist groups.

Việt Nam–Russia relations have deep historical roots, more than 75 years of cooperation and high political trust among leaders, providing a basis for further growth, Khôi said.

Turning political ties into concrete projects will fall to ministries, sectors and localities. The Ninh Thuận nuclear project should serve as a symbol of the new phase. Both sides should pursue more joint research, technology transfer and education cooperation, leveraging the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, and consider reviving peaceful space cooperation 46 years after Phạm Tuân became the first Vietnamese astronaut.

Culture and arts remain central. Many Vietnamese forged connections with Russia through its culture, while Russians have developed affinity for Việt Nam through its heritage. Generations of Vietnamese studied and worked in Russia and serve as bridges between the two peoples. Strengthening youth ties is now a priority and a responsibility of current generation.

Khôi reported that bilateral trade is regaining momentum, reaching US$4.77 billion in 2025 and $3.24 billion in the first seven months of 2026. Energy cooperation has expanded.

Tourism has recovered strongly. Russian visitors to Việt Nam exceeded 690,000 in 2025, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak, and jumped 174 per cent year-on-year to more than 863,000 in the first seven months of 2026. The full-year figure is forecast to top one million. Vietnamese travel to Russia rose 21.4 per cent in the first half of this year.

Cultural exchanges have accelerated. The first Vietnam Cultural Festival at Red Square in July 2025 drew more than one million visitors. The Hồ Chí Minh City Conservatory of Music’s Youth Chamber Orchestra performed in Moscow last month, while Russian art troupes have staged performances in Việt Nam.

This year’s science and education cooperation agenda has included more than 100 activities, including the third Vietnam–Russia University Presidents’ Conference, with numerous agreements signed. Education ties are producing substantive results, with Vietnamese students increasingly choosing Russia for overseas study. — VNA/VNS