Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President, emphasized strengthening cooperation with Russia during his visit to Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the visit as a new milestone in bilateral relations, with both countries setting a trade target of $15 billion and outlining specific cooperation in nuclear power, energy, and science and technology. Following the talks, a ceremony for the exchange of cooperation documents was held in the presence of both leaders.
According to local media reports, Nguyen Phu Trong and his wife, Ngo Phuong Lien, departed Moscow on the evening of September 9, concluding their state visit. He stayed in Russia from September 7 to 9 before moving on to France for an official visit and participation in a space summit from September 9 to 12.
The key event of the visit was the summit held at the Kremlin on September 9. After a state welcome ceremony, Nguyen Phu Trong met with President Putin to discuss bilateral relations and international issues.
President Putin stated that the visit holds "special significance, marking a new milestone in the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries." He further described Vietnam as a "reliable partner and a priority country" in Russia's Asia-Pacific policy. Nguyen Phu Trong presented the relationship with Russia as a major pillar of Vietnam's foreign policy, explaining that Vietnam views Russia as "an important partner and a top priority."
Both leaders agreed to enhance economic cooperation more substantively. They decided to elevate the role of the intergovernmental economic, trade, and scientific cooperation committee and to expedite the goal of reaching $15 billion in bilateral trade.
Energy and nuclear cooperation were also major agenda items. The two countries agreed to maintain energy, oil, and gas as core areas of existing cooperation while specifying nuclear collaboration under previously signed agreements and expanding cooperation into wind and gas power. President Putin expressed Russia's readiness to share experience and technology and support workforce training tailored to Vietnam's needs in nuclear cooperation. The joint statement adopted by both countries emphasizes prioritizing nuclear and radiation safety, applying Russia's proven technologies, while determining the project implementation schedule and localization rates by mutual agreement.
Scientific and technological cooperation was also highlighted as a new driving force. According to the joint statement, the two countries identified artificial intelligence (AI), digital technology, biotechnology, new materials, quantum technology, space technology, and automation as priority areas for cooperation, agreeing to expand joint research and technology transfer. They also committed to establishing a cooperation roadmap in quantum technology. Additionally, they plan to strengthen connections and exchanges among universities, research institutions, and innovation centers as part of the designated "Year of Russia-Vietnam Scientific and Educational Cooperation" in 2023-2024.
During his visit to Russia, Nguyen Phu Trong received the Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize. The award ceremony took place on the evening of September 9 at the Kremlin, attended by President Putin, Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma, and Valentina Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council.
Renowned conductor and Russian national artist Valery Gergiev, who served as the jury chairman, presented the 2026 Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize to Nguyen Phu Trong. The award recognizes contributions to promoting peace, enhancing inter-ethnic cooperation and understanding, respecting international law, and spreading Vietnam's tradition of peace and dialogue. Previous recipients include leaders from the African Union in 2023-2024 and three Central Asian countries in 2025.
In his acceptance speech, Nguyen Phu Trong stated, "This award is not only recognition for an individual but also an evaluation of the Vietnamese people's tradition of peace and our foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, friendship, cooperation, and development." He added that Vietnam will continue to promote dialogue with the international community and participate in peacefully resolving disputes based on the UN Charter and international law.
President Putin remarked that the award acknowledges Nguyen Phu Trong's contributions to strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between Russia and Vietnam.
Russian media and experts have noted this visit as a new starting point for bilateral relations. The Kremlin's official portal and various Russian outlets reported that Vietnam places significant importance on developing its relationship with Russia. They also addressed potential cooperation in the digital economy, peaceful nuclear energy, transportation infrastructure, industry, and agriculture, as well as issues related to trade barriers.
The Russian outlet Ura.news reported that Russia is optimistic about expanding long-term cooperation with Vietnam, emphasizing that Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge for Russian companies entering the ASEAN market and other international markets.
Ekaterina Koldunova, head of the ASEAN Center at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), explained that cooperation in nuclear energy, information technology, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, and education is expanding within the context of Russia's pivot to the East and Vietnam's growth strategy aimed at becoming a developed country by 2045. She noted that Vietnam holds a special status as the coordinator of ASEAN-Russia dialogue.
Nikita Maslennikov, chief economist at the Russian Political Technology Center, predicted that ASEAN will become a central axis of the global economy in the coming decades, asserting that Russia's presence in the region is crucial for competing in the global economy and achieving its development goals.
Anton Bredikhin, a senior researcher at the Institute of Chinese and Modern Asian Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, described this visit as a "new historical milestone," confirming the commitment of both countries to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership and sign documents aimed at realizing potential in science and technology, energy, and oil and gas sectors while enhancing economic, trade, and investment ties.
Cultural and human exchanges were also included in the summit agenda. Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed President Putin's positive consideration of visa exemptions for Vietnamese citizens and expressed Vietnam's readiness to cooperate in hosting the "Russian Cultural Season" in Vietnam in 2027. President Putin praised the success of the Vietnamese cultural festival held in Red Square last year.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Phu Trong's visit concluded with a farewell ceremony at Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, Gennady Bezdetko, the Russian Ambassador to Vietnam, and the Russian Foreign Ministry's protocol chief, along with the Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia, Dang Minh Khoi, and his wife.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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