Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Vũ Hồng Thanh welcomed Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin as he arrived at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội on September 28 afternoon. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

HÀ NỘI — Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin arrived in Hà Nội on Sunday afternoon, beginning an official visit to Việt Nam and co-chairing the 4th meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee between the two countries’ parliaments.

The two-day visit is made at the invitation of Việt Nam’s National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn.

Welcoming the Russian delegation at Nội Bài International Airport were Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Vũ Hồng Thanh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đặng Hoàng Giang, National Assembly deputy Phạm Phú Bình, member of the Committee for National Defence, Security and External Relations, and Russian Ambassador to Việt Nam Gennady Bezdetko.

Accompanying Chairman Volodin on his visit are First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Ivan Ivanovich Melnikov; Deputy Chairman Alexander Mikhailovich Babakov; leader of the 'New People' parliamentary faction Alexey Gennadievich Nechayev; Chairman of the Committee on Industry and Trade Vladimir Vladimirovich Gutenev; Chairman of the Committee on Science and Higher Education Sergey Vladimirovich Kabyshev; Chairwoman of the Committee on Culture Olga Mikhailovna Kazakova; Chairman of the Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption Vasily Ivanovich Piskarev; Chairman of the Committee on Tourism and Tourism Infrastructure Development Sangadzhi Andreevich Tarbaev; Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy Maxim Anatolievich Topilin; and Chairman of the Committee on Energy Nikolay Grigorievich Shulginov.

Born in 1964, Volodin holds doctoral degrees in both engineering and law. His career has spanned several key political and administrative posts, including Deputy Chairman of Saratov City Council (1992–1994); Deputy Chairman of the Saratov Regional Duma (1994–1996); Deputy Chairman of the State Duma in the 4th and 5th convocations (2003–2010); Chief of Staff of the Russian Government and Deputy Prime Minister (2010–2011); and First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of Russia (2011–2016). Since October 2016, he has served as Chairman of the State Duma and is a standing member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

The visit aims to promote the implementation of major directions agreed upon by the top leaders of both countries during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Việt Nam in June 2024 and General Secretary Tô Lâm’s official visit to Russia in May 2025. As the supreme legislative bodies, the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Russian State Duma play a crucial role in creating the legal framework for bilateral cooperation and overseeing the implementation of high-level agreements.

During the visit, Chairman Volodin and Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn will co-chair the 4th meeting of the Việt Nam–Russia Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. This is the highest-level and first such inter-parliamentary cooperation mechanism established between the Vietnamese legislature and a foreign parliament. The two sides are expected to exchange legislative experience, discuss parliamentary oversight in implementing cooperation and provide orientations for the two governments in addressing specific challenges in bilateral ties.

They will also seek new drivers of growth and explore untapped potential in key areas such as science and technology and education and training, with the goal of “refreshing relations” and elevating cooperation to new heights. This marks the fourth meeting of the Committee.

Russian Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko highlighted the importance of the trip in further consolidating the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Ambassador Bezdetko said the visit continues a series of high-level exchanges this year, following Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s trip to Việt Nam in January, General Secretary Tô Lâm’s official visit to Russia in May and recent meetings between President Vladimir Putin and Việt Nam’s top leaders on the sidelines of multilateral events in China. He also noted that senior Russian officials, including ministers and presidential aides, had travelled to Hà Nội throughout the year, underlining the dynamic nature of bilateral dialogue.

Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin arrived at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội on September 28 afternoon. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

“The establishment of a regular, trusted political dialogue at all levels, including the highest, plays a crucial role in ensuring the uninterrupted development of the Russia–Việt Nam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” the Ambassador stressed.

One of the main objectives of Chairman Volodin’s visit is to ensure parliamentary oversight of agreements already reached in areas ranging from trade and energy to science, education, culture and humanitarian exchange.

“It is difficult to overestimate the importance of such oversight by the legislatures of our two countries,” the diplomat said.

The trip also takes place at a symbolic time, as Russia and Việt Nam mark 75 years of diplomatic relations alongside the 80th anniversaries of both Russia’s Victory in the Great Patriotic War and Việt Nam’s National Day.

“We attach great importance to parliamentary collaboration both bilaterally and in multilateral mechanisms,” Ambassador Bezdetko said. “This cooperation is built on shared approaches to global challenges and contributes to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the prosperity of both nations and for peace and stability in the region and the world.” — VNS