Vietnam's Top Leader Holds Talks with Russian President, Aiming to Strengthen Ties

On the afternoon of September 9, 2026 (evening Hanoi time), after the welcoming ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, General Secretary and President To Lam of Vietnam held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Putin hosted a welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse. During the talks, both leaders engaged in a broad exchange of views on how to strengthen bilateral relations. They particularly agreed on the need for "new thinking and new approaches" to promote cooperation in science and technology. This reflects Vietnam's emphasis on technological innovation and international collaboration for sustained economic growth. Following the talks, General Secretary and President To Lam also met with representatives from several businesses and universities in Russia, discussing the promotion of people-to-people and academic exchanges between Vietnam and Russia. Vietnam, while maintaining its one-party system, prioritizes economic development. Its foreign policy is based on maintaining and developing relations with a diverse range of countries to maximize national interests. Relations with Russia, in addition to historical friendship, include cooperation in energy and defense, which are important elements for Vietnam's security and economic stability. Amidst increasing international sanctions against Russia in recent years, Vietnam's stance on maintaining and developing relations with Russia is noteworthy as part of its independent foreign policy.