Vietnamese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Tô Lâm is in Moscow for a three-day state visit aimed at giving fresh momentum to Vietnam-Russia relations and strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Tô Lâm arrived in Moscow on September 7 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit runs through September 9 and is the first state visit to Russia by Vietnam’s top Party and state leader since 1991, making it a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
Talks with Russian leadership
The centerpiece of the visit is expected to be talks between Tô Lâm and Putin, with the two leaders scheduled to discuss the current state and future development of the Russia-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership.
According to the Kremlin, the discussions will cover trade and economic cooperation as well as broader bilateral relations. Other areas expected to feature include security and defence, education and cooperation on regional and international issues. A number of bilateral documents are also expected to be adopted following the leaders’ talks.
Expanding economic and strategic cooperation
Vietnam and Russia have maintained close political ties for decades, supported by regular high-level contacts and cooperation in a range of sectors. Vietnamese officials have emphasized the importance of translating the longstanding political relationship into practical economic and development outcomes.
The two countries are expected to explore opportunities to expand cooperation in energy, trade, infrastructure, technology and other strategic sectors. Russia has also described Vietnam as a longstanding and trusted partner, while Vietnamese officials continue to identify Moscow as an important partner in the country’s foreign policy.
Parliamentary and political engagement
During his visit, Tô Lâm has already held meetings with senior Russian political figures, including State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin. The Vietnamese leader reaffirmed Hanoi’s importance placed on its traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Moscow.
He has also met representatives of the Russian Communist Party, war veterans and the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, highlighting the historical and people-to-people foundations of the bilateral relationship.
A strategically important visit
The Moscow visit comes as Vietnam seeks to deepen relationships with major global partners while maintaining a balanced and independent foreign policy. Tô Lâm’s wider September diplomatic schedule also includes France and planned international engagements, reflecting Hanoi’s efforts to expand economic and diplomatic partnerships.
For Russia, closer relations with Vietnam provide an important connection to Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. For Vietnam, stronger ties with Moscow could support cooperation in strategic industries while reinforcing a longstanding diplomatic partnership.
The outcome of the Putin-Tô Lâm talks and any agreements signed during the visit will provide an important indication of the next phase of Vietnam-Russia cooperation.
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