In a flurry of handshakes and signed documents, Russian President Vladimir Putin sealed a series of agreements with Vietnamese leaders during his state visit to Hanoi this past Thursday. This diplomatic engagement, happening amidst Moscow’s increasing international isolation due to its military actions in Ukraine, highlights Russia’s strategic pivot towards Asia. Putin’s discussions with his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam and other top officials underscore the deep historical ties and potential for future cooperation between the two nations.
Putin’s visit to Hanoi was preceded by a high-profile meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, where the two nations pledged mutual aid in the event of an invasion. While the deals with Vietnam did not carry the same dramatic flair, they were nonetheless significant. Putin’s meetings with Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, as reported by the official Vietnam News Agency, signaled Russia’s intent to maintain robust partnerships in various sectors including energy, industry, technology, education, security, and trade.
Russian Ambassador to Vietnam, Gennady S. Bezdetko, emphasized the importance of close and effective cooperation between the two nations. For Vietnam, Russia remains a key supplier of military equipment and a crucial partner in oil exploration technologies, which are vital for maintaining sovereignty claims in the contested South China Sea. The diplomatic dance, as noted by experts, reflects Russia’s desire to showcase that it is not completely isolated in Asia despite the Ukraine conflict, while Vietnam seeks to solidify a traditional relationship even as it diversifies its international partnerships.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of a treaty establishing friendly relations between Vietnam and Russia, a relationship that dates back to 1950. Putin, in an article for the official newspaper of Vietnam’s Communist Party, Nhan Dan, praised Vietnam as a staunch supporter of a fair world order based on international law and non-interference in domestic affairs. This mutual admiration, however, comes with nuanced expectations. Andrew Goledzinowski, the Australian ambassador to Vietnam, noted that Vietnam is doing Russia a significant favor by hosting Putin, a move that may come with anticipated reciprocations.
Despite the show of camaraderie, Vietnam remains neutral on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, treading a careful line in its international relations. Bilateral trade statistics reveal a modest $3.6 billion in 2023 between Russia and Vietnam, dwarfed by Vietnam’s trade with China and the United States, which stood at $171 billion and $111 billion, respectively. Nevertheless, Russia has historically been a crucial arms supplier to Vietnam, accounting for around 80% of its arms imports since the early 2000s.
In essence, the recent diplomatic engagements between Russia and Vietnam underscore a deep-rooted relationship that continues to evolve. While the agreements may not be groundbreaking, they reflect a mutual willingness to maintain and potentially expand cooperation in various strategic areas. As global geopolitical tensions persist, the dance of diplomacy in Hanoi serves as a reminder of the intricate web of international relations and the balancing acts nations must perform.
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