Vietnam's Top Leader Visits Russia, Joint Statement Issued on Strengthening Partnership

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Government News Below is the translation of the Joint Statement for reference: At the invitation of President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam paid a State visit to the Russian Federation from September 7 to September 9, 2026. General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam held a retreat and talks with President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin; met with Prime Minister of the Russian Federation M.V. Mishustin, Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation V.I. Matviyenko, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation V.V. Volodin, Chairman of the United Russia Party and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation D.A. Medvedev, Aide to the President and Chairman of the Maritime Council of the Russian Federation N.P. Patrushev, and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation G.A. Zyuganov. General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam laid wreaths at President Ho Chi Minh Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; received representatives of the War Veterans' Association and the Russia-Viet Nam Friendship Association; met with leaders of several leading Russian corporations. In the presence of President V. Putin and senior leaders of both countries, the Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize Foundation awarded its 2026 Prize to General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam in recognition of his significant contributions to strengthening peace and cooperation among nations. The talks and meetings took place in an atmosphere of traditional friendship, sincerity, and trust inherent in the relations between the two countries. The leaders of Viet Nam and Russia held extensive exchanges of views on the status and prospects of Viet Nam - Russia relations, and agreed on measures to further promote the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam highly appreciated the achievements of the Russian Federation in economic development, ensuring public welfare, and elevating the country's prestige in the international arena. The President of the Russian Federation recognized the impressive achievements in socio-economic development of Viet Nam and its active participation in addressing regional and global issues, expressing confidence that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam headed by General Secretary and President To Lam, Viet Nam will continue to successfully achieve the strategic national development goals set forth by the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. Based on the outcomes of the visit, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Russian Federation declare as follows: FOUNDATIONS, PRINCIPLES, AND OBJECTIVES OF RELATIONS 1. The relations between Viet Nam and Russia were established in 1950, characterized by fraternal friendship, profound trust, and mutual support. These qualities were manifested with particular clarity during the years when the heroic Vietnamese people waged their struggle for national liberation and the defense of independence and freedom. In 2001, the two countries established a Strategic Partnership, which was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2012. 2. The two sides affirm that the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and Russia have withstood the test of time and all geopolitical shifts, constituting an invaluable asset of the two peoples; the consolidation and development of bilateral relations remain a long-term strategic choice and a top priority in each country's foreign policy. 3. Building upon past achievements, and desiring to harness existing potential and rich experience of cooperation across multiple fields, Viet Nam and Russia will continue their efforts to strengthen and diversify areas of cooperation for the benefit of both peoples, and for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. 4. Viet Nam and Russia build their relations on mutual trust, long-term vision, effective cooperation in all fields, and comprehensive strategic coordination, in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, based on equality and mutual benefit, with a firm resolve to cooperate closely across all fields within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. 5. The two sides agree to develop the Viet Nam - Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new period with high political and strategic trust; balanced and sustainable economic, trade, and investment foundations; defense and security cooperation as a strategic pillar; energy and oil and gas as a strategic breakthrough; science-technology, innovation, and human resources as primary drivers; and culture and people-to-people exchange as a connecting bridge between the two nations, adaptable to global developments and delivering concrete benefits to the citizens, localities, and enterprises of both countries. MAIN DIRECTIONS OF BILATERAL COOPERATION Political and Diplomatic Relations The two sides affirm that high political trust is the core and solid foundation for implementing comprehensive cooperation in other fields, agreeing to maintain regular and substantive political dialogue through delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels in a spirit of trust and constructiveness, thereby promoting the steady development of bilateral relations, implementing reached agreements, and identifying prospective new areas of cooperation. 7. The two sides agree to enhance inter-party cooperation through delegation exchanges, cadre training, expert exchanges, joint research, political-ideological education for youth, and the promotion of cultural values, literary heritage, and arts of both nations. 8. The two sides will continue to strengthen parliamentary cooperation by maintaining delegation exchanges and contacts between parliamentary leaders, leveraging existing cooperation mechanisms, enhancing oversight of the implementation of international treaties, agreements, and high-level commitments; refining the legal framework to facilitate key cooperation projects in strategic sectors; enhancing cooperation between parliamentary committees and parliamentary friendship groups; and continuing mutual consultation and support at international and regional inter-parliamentary forums. Defense and Security 9. The two Source: Bao Chinh Phu