Vietnam's Top Leader Meets Russian Official, Agrees on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Government News Huong Giang General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Russian Presidential aide and Chairman of the Maritime Board of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow, September 8, 2026. Photo: VGP Patrushev expressed his pleasure to meet the top Vietanmese leader again, congratulating him upon his election as President of Viet Nam, and welcoming him to Russia. To Lam affirmed the Party and State of Viet Nam consistently view Russia as an important and trusted partner as well as a top priority in the Southeast Asian nation's foreign policy. In the new phase of development, the General Secretary and President suggested both sides should continue to consolidate traditional cooperation domains while proactively expanding bilateral cooperation to new and potential fronts, including maritime cooperation, in accordance with the strengths and needs of each side. To Lam welcomed both sides' identification of major maritime cooperation orientations for 2026-2030, calling on relevant agencies of the two countries to expeditiously materialize these orientations into highly feasible programs and projects. He also suggested both countries explore the possibility of developing maritime routes, enhance connectivity among seaports and shipping companies, and logistics providers of both countries, thereby reducing costs and facilitating the circulation of goods. To Lam highly valued Russia's extensive experience and scientific-technological capabilities, suggesting both sides mull over potential cooperation in new shipbuilding, vessel repair and maintenance, and technology transfer tailored to Viet Nam's needs and conditions. Both sides spoke highly of the traditional cooperation between Vietnamese and Russian scientists, including positive results achieved within the framework of the Viet Nam-Russia Tropical Center. He proposed that both countries further enhance the operational effiency of the Viet Nam-Russia Tropical Center while expanding research collaboration into maritime science, oceanography, biodiversity, marine environmental protection, climate change response, new materials, and technologies serviving sustainable development of the marine economy. Patrushev highly valued Viet Nam's vision and strategic orientations for marine economic development, expressing his wish for both sides to maintain close coordination and effectively implement mutually agreed plans and memoranda of understanding. On multilateral maritime cooperation, Patrushev affirmed that Russia is keen on promoting maritime cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Both sides took the occasion to exchange views on cooperation in ensuring maritime security and safety, and combating various types of crime and non-traditional security threats at sea. The two sides agreed to step up experience sharing, expert exchanges, and coordination among fuctional agencies in accordance with the domestic laws of each country and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Vietnamese side expressed the desire that Russia would continue to voice support and make active contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region./. ONLINE NEWSPAPER OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Editor-in-chief: Nguyen Hong Sam License: No. 102/GP-BTTTT dated on April 15, 2024. Head office: No. 16, Le Hong Phong - Ba Dinh - Ha Noi Tel: 080 43162 – 080 48440; Fax: 080 48924 Email: [email protected]