President Ho Chi Minh at the welcoming ceremony of the Vietnamese Government delegation on an official visit to the Soviet Union on July 12, 1955. (Source: Russian Journalists Association)

Looking back at the 75-year journey of Vietnam-Russian Federation relations, from the establishment of official diplomatic relations to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, how does the Ambassador assess the significance of this relationship for both countries in the current context?

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on January 30, 1950, the relationship between Vietnam and the former Soviet Union and the current Russian Federation has always been stable over the years and has increasingly developed in all areas. During the struggle for national independence and later national construction, the Party, State and people of Vietnam have always received the sympathy, support and wholehearted help of the Party, State and people of the Soviet Union. President Ho Chi Minh often said: "For Lenin, for the October Revolution, for the Communist Party, the Government of the Soviet Union and the Soviet people, we must remember the source when drinking water".

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Russian Federation Nguyen Minh Khoi. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The Vietnam-Russia relationship today inherits the special friendship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union in the past. After a period of interruption due to the turmoil in the Soviet Union and Russia in the early 90s of the last century, with the determination and efforts of the leaders and people of the two countries, the Vietnam-Russia relationship has made strong changes, continuing the tradition of good relations between the two peoples.

In order to create a new legal framework for bilateral relations, in 1994, the two countries signed the Treaty on the Basic Principles of Friendly Relations, which affirmed that the relationship between the two countries is built on the principles of respect for independence and sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit based on international law.

Over time, the Vietnam-Russia relationship based on the foundation of trust, sustainable cooperation and mutual respect has been gradually upgraded to Strategic Partnership (2001) and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2012).

Looking back over the past 75 years, we cannot help but be proud of the great achievements of the friendship and good cooperation that both sides have built and nurtured together, of which the most valuable are the good feelings that our two peoples have always had for each other despite the challenges of history.

It is also those sincere and close feelings, together with the achievements and valuable cooperation experiences between the two countries, that continue to be the solid foundation to bring the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Russia to new heights and quality, increasingly developing deeply in all fields, from politics - diplomacy, economics - trade, national defense and security to socio-culture, science - technology, education, and people-to-people exchange.

Vietnam-Russia political relations have always enjoyed high reliability and have been constantly strengthened through diverse forms and mechanisms of political cooperation such as regular exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones, helping the leaders of the two countries exchange information and promptly direct the development of bilateral relations.

The two sides have established and effectively implemented many mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic-Trade and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, the Intergovernmental Committee on Military-Technical Cooperation, the Committee on Education, Science and Technology Cooperation, the Strategic Dialogue, Regular Political Consultations, the High-Level Working Group on Priority Cooperation Projects, and Working Groups in various fields, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding and trust, creating a foundation for promoting all-round cooperation between the two countries.

Children welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin on his state visit to Vietnam at the official welcoming ceremony on June 20, 2024. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Economic and trade cooperation has developed positively, with periods when trade turnover increased by 10-15% per year. Bilateral cooperation in areas such as science and technology, culture, education, tourism, locality, etc. has been increasingly expanded, in which cooperation in science and technology and education and training between the two countries has been promoted and raised to a strategic level.

Russia has become an attractive destination for many Vietnamese students thanks to its high-quality scholarship and training programs. Tens of thousands of scientists, engineers and technical workers trained in the Russian Federation have made positive and effective contributions to the Vietnamese economy and are a factor in creating a bridge of friendship between the peoples of the two countries. Cultural exchange activities organized regularly also contribute to increasing understanding between the two peoples and creating conditions to promote cooperation in other fields.

In the context of the world witnessing many major changes in geopolitics, economics and security, the significance of this relationship for both countries has become deeper and more practical than ever. Vietnam, as an active member of ASEAN and a dynamic and strong developing country, always highly appreciates and attaches importance to the traditional relationship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia, considering Russia as a leading important partner in foreign policy, wishing to continue to develop the traditional friendship with Russia for the benefit of the two countries and for the prosperity of the two peoples.

On the Russian side, in its Eastward policy, it also highly appreciates Vietnam's role in promoting peace, stability and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, considering Vietnam an important partner in implementing foreign policy in the region.

Through close cooperation, both Vietnam and Russia can enhance their prestige and influence in the international arena, while expanding new opportunities for cooperation and development in areas where both sides have strengths and needs, contributing to meeting the aspirations of the people of both countries, peace and stability in the region and the world.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin co-chaired the Vietnam-Russia High-Level Business Dialogue on January 15. (Source: VGP)

Dear Ambassador, what tasks does the new stage pose in developing the Vietnam-Russia cooperative relationship? What are the factors contributing to promoting this relationship?

In the new period, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Russia is facing great opportunities but also many challenges. To continue to develop this comprehensive strategic partnership in a sustainable and effective manner, one of the top priorities is to strengthen the trustful political relationship through annual exchanges of high-ranking leaders, delegation exchanges through the channels of the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, Ministries, branches, localities, mass organizations and social organizations, continue to support each other and closely coordinate positions in international forums.

Defense and security cooperation remains one of the main pillars of the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two sides need to continue to maintain and promote cooperation programs and signed agreements in the fields of defense, security and military technology.

At the same time, it is necessary to focus on strengthening cooperation in the fields of cyber security and counter-terrorism. Maintaining regular dialogue and close coordination at regional and international forums will help the two countries jointly respond to non-traditional security challenges, such as climate change, natural disasters and epidemics.

The two sides also need to further improve the effectiveness of economic and trade cooperation. Although bilateral trade turnover has reached 4-5 billion USD in recent years, the potential for cooperation between the two countries is still very large and can be further exploited.

The two sides need to continue implementing measures to facilitate businesses from both countries to access each other’s markets, especially through making the most of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation in areas such as agriculture, manufacturing industry, renewable energy and information technology. Large-scale investment projects, especially in the fields of oil and gas, energy and infrastructure, need to be further promoted, creating new momentum for economic development in both countries.

Science and technology is one of the areas with great potential. Vietnam and Russia need to strengthen cooperation in areas such as space research, biotechnology, renewable energy and artificial intelligence. The implementation of joint venture projects in the field of advanced technology will help improve the competitiveness and innovation of both countries.

In addition, it is necessary to promote cooperation in training high-quality human resources, especially in the fields of engineering and technology. This not only contributes to strengthening bilateral relations but also opens up opportunities for the young generation of both countries to actively contribute to future development.

Culture and education have always been an important bridge in strengthening the friendship between the people of the two countries. In the new period, it is necessary to promote cultural exchange activities, organize cultural and artistic events, exhibitions and festivals to promote the image of the country, people and culture of each side.

In addition, it is necessary to encourage and facilitate students, scholars and experts from both countries to participate in scholarship programs, academic exchanges and scientific research. Expanding cooperation in higher and postgraduate education will contribute to building a younger generation that is more knowledgeable and connected to each other.

I believe that the close support and guidance of the two countries’ senior leaders will be a decisive factor in promoting the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Regular high-level visits and contacts between the two countries’ leaders have been creating strong momentum for the development of bilateral relations. It is necessary to continue to maintain and expand dialogue channels at all levels, especially at the high level, to promptly resolve emerging issues and seek new cooperation opportunities.

Building and perfecting a favorable legal environment is a key factor in promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation. The two sides need to continue reviewing and adjusting bilateral agreements and arrangements to ensure their suitability and effectiveness in the new context.

In addition, enterprises and the business community play an important role in implementing specific cooperation projects. It is necessary to encourage and facilitate enterprises of the two countries to strengthen links, cooperation and investment in potential areas. Through business forums, exhibitions and trade promotion activities, the two sides can seek new cooperation opportunities.

Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi took a souvenir photo with children of the Vietnamese community in the Russian Federation at the Tet Sum Vay - Celebrating the Spring of At Ty 2025 program on January 24. (Source: VNA)

What are the highlights of the coordination between the two countries in multilateral and regional forums, Ambassador?

Vietnam and the Russian Federation have always had a tradition of close coordination and mutual support at multilateral and regional forums based on similar views on many international and regional issues. This cooperation not only reflects the comprehensive and trustworthy strategic partnership between the two countries but also demonstrates the responsibility in actively contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and development in the world as well as in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietnam and Russia have always maintained close coordination at the United Nations, especially on issues related to international peace, security and sustainable development. The two countries share common views on many major international issues such as counter-terrorism, protecting human rights and promoting multilateralism.

In recent years, the two countries have jointly launched many initiatives and supported important United Nations resolutions to ensure international law-based order, while actively participating in the organization's peacekeeping activities. In particular, during its term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, Vietnam has received effective and close support from Russia in performing this role.

The two countries also actively cooperate in ASEAN mechanisms. Russia is a dialogue partner of ASEAN and the two sides have increasingly extensive cooperation in many areas. Vietnam, as an active member of ASEAN, always encourages and creates conditions for Russia to participate in regional cooperation mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+). Within the framework of the ARF, Vietnam and Russia have jointly promoted initiatives to enhance trust and cooperation among countries in the region, especially in the fields of maritime security and counter-terrorism.

At ADMM+, the two countries have also coordinated in military training programs, disaster relief and response to non-traditional security challenges. Russia supports Vietnam's stance on resolving disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, without using or threatening force, on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and early conclusion of negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The two countries also actively cooperate within the framework of other multilateral cooperation forums such as APEC, BRICS, Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA)... In 2024, the year Russia holds the BRICS Chair, senior Vietnamese leaders will attend the BRICS Summit for the first time, opening up new prospects for cooperation with Russia within the BRICS framework, sharing the vision of building a peaceful, stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific region, supporting initiatives to promote trade liberalization, improve the business environment and sustainable development.

Thank you very much Ambassador!