Vietnam's Top Leader Begins State Visit to Russia to Strengthen Ties

General Secretary and President of Vietnam To Lam, along with his wife, arrived at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow to begin his state visit to Russia. He was welcomed at the aircraft stairs by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, with a red carpet laid out and a military band playing the national anthems of both countries. Following the ceremony, President To Lam reviewed the guard of honor. According to the program, after arriving in Moscow, President To Lam is scheduled to meet with Gennady Zyuganov, Chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, representatives from the Russian Veterans Association and the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association. He will also meet with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Russia. Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that the visit demonstrates Vietnam's emphasis on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, aiming to create new milestones and maximize the strengths of both countries for their respective development processes. The visit is also expected to open opportunities for cooperation in future fields such as space exploration. For Russia, the visit is anticipated to further consolidate the foundation of political trust and enhance the role of summit diplomacy through regular contact between the top leaders of both nations. Economically, the visit is expected to foster breakthroughs in traditional cooperation pillars, particularly in oil and gas and energy, including nuclear power. It aims to make economic, trade, investment, and infrastructure connectivity new driving forces, promoting air, maritime, and rail links, and encouraging businesses from both countries to participate in investment projects in each other's markets. Cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and high-quality human resource training is also expected to be strengthened. Vietnam and Russia possess significant potential for collaboration in areas such as digital technology, AI, cybersecurity, biotechnology, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, smart transportation, and basic research. Vietnam and Russia share a long-standing traditional relationship, establishing a Strategic Partnership in 2001 and upgrading it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2012. According to Vietnam Customs, bilateral trade turnover reached $4.77 billion in 2023, a 4% increase compared to 2022.