Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently on a state visit to Vietnam, marking the latest stop in his two-nation tour of Asia. The visit comes after Putin signed a defense pact with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, during his previous stop in Pyongyang. The diplomatic support Russia continues to receive in the region is being interpreted as a demonstration of its historical ties and influence.
Despite working to improve relations with Europe and the US, Vietnam still values its historical ties with Russia. This is evident through the country's decision to abstain from voting on UN resolutions condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine while maintaining good relations with both Ukraine and sending some aid to Kyiv.
Recent high-level resignations within the Vietnamese communist party suggest internal rivalries over the next generation of leaders and potential direction changes for the country. Putin's visit may provide insight into Vietnam's future alliances and priorities.
Putin was met by Vietnamese deputy prime minister Tran Hong Ha and top party diplomat Le Hoai Trung upon his arrival at Hanoi airport. The Russian leader is scheduled to meet with Communist party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, state president To Lam, and prime minister Pham Minh Chinh during his visit.
Trade between Russia and Vietnam stood at just $3.5bn in 2022, a tiny fraction of Vietnam's trade with China and the US. However, economic, education, and energy issues are likely to be on the table during Putin's visit.
Russia has deep ties with Vietnam dating back to the 1950s when Moscow was Hanoi's leading arms supplier. In an opinion piece published in Vietnam's Communist party newspaper Nhan Dan, Putin applauded Vietnam for its position on the Ukraine war and listed progress on payments, energy, and trade between the countries.
The US has criticized Putin's visit for giving a platform to promote his war of aggression in Ukraine. However, Vietnam officially pursues a neutral foreign policy and has abstained from condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine. Some western countries view this stance as too easy on the Kremlin.
Putin's presence in Vietnam follows high-profile visits from US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also received full state welcomes.