President Tô Lâm Welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin with High Honors

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: In a ceremony marked by the highest state protocol, Vietnamese President Tô Lâm presided over the welcome ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Presidential Palace on Thursday noon. The Russian leader’s State visit to Việt Nam, scheduled from June 19-29, is at the invitation of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

The streets of Hà Nội were lined with large crowds of citizens and children waving the flags of both nations to warmly welcome President Putin and his high-level delegation. This marks President Putin’s fifth visit to Việt Nam as head of state.

The State visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Principles of Friendship Relations between Việt Nam and the Russian Federation (1994-2024) and anticipates the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

President Putin was escorted to the Presidential Palace, where President Tô Lâm greeted him and the Russian delegation with the playing of national anthems by military bands and a 21-gun salute. The two leaders then reviewed the Honour Guards of the Việt Nam People’s Army and introduced the high-level delegations from both countries.

President Putin’s visit highlights the deep, comprehensive, and friendly relationship between Việt Nam and Russia. This relationship serves as a model of mutually beneficial and equal cooperation, promoting peace, cooperation, and development regionally and globally.

Over the past 30 years, successive leaders and citizens of both nations have worked to strengthen their deep friendship and bilateral cooperation across various fields, benefiting their peoples and contributing to global peace and development. Economic and trade relations between Việt Nam and Russia have seen dynamic growth, especially since the Việt Nam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement took effect in October 2016. Việt Nam is Russia’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, while Russia ranks among Việt Nam’s top five trading partners in Europe. In 2023, bilateral trade reached US$3.63 billion, with $1.96 billion recorded in the first five months of 2024.

Both nations engage in mutual investment projects, particularly in areas where Russia has strengths such as energy, science and technology, and education and training. Additionally, there are various forms of cooperation in defense and security.

President Putin’s visit is of great significance as it aims to deepen the Việt Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across all sectors. This visit is in line with the goals of the Joint Declaration on the Vision for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by 2030.

Following the welcoming ceremony, President Tô Lâm and President Putin led their respective high-level delegations in discussions to evaluate current cooperation and propose future directions for their bilateral relationship.