Top Vietnamese Leader Concludes Successful Visit to Russia, Heads to France

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, along with his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, departed Moscow on the evening of September 9 (local time), successfully concluding their state visit to the Russian Federation. They are continuing their journey to France for an official visit and to attend the International Space Summit in Paris. During the visit to Russia, Vietnam and Russia issued a "Joint Statement on Further Strengthening Bilateral Relations in a New Era." This statement reaffirms the intention of both countries to deepen cooperation across a wide range of fields, including politics, economy, security, and culture. Notably, Vietnam agreed to receive advanced technology from Russia in the field of epidemiology. This is expected to contribute to enhancing Vietnam's capabilities in epidemic prevention and public health. As a one-party socialist state, Vietnam pursues a pragmatic approach in its foreign policy. Strengthening ties with Russia can be seen as part of Vietnam's strategy to maintain diplomatic diversity and achieve security balance amid complex relations with Western countries. Furthermore, the introduction of Russian technology could indirectly contribute to Vietnam's economic development and industrial upgrading. Vietnam's foreign relations prioritize economic growth, focusing on skillfully maintaining and developing relationships with major countries. Given its long border with and significant economic dependence on China, Vietnam's relationship with Russia and Western nations serves as a crucial diplomatic tool to avoid excessive reliance on China.