Russia steps up engagement with Vietnam in China’s neighbourhood

Vietnam is an old ally of Moscow with deep links across sectors and Russia is stepping up its engagements with Hanoi in what may not be music to China’s ears.

Vietnam has congratulated Russia on the successes it has achieved under President Vladimir Putin, including economic and political stability, and its leadership in the international arena, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong said at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Hanoi recently.

"I would like to congratulate Russia on such big successes that Russia has achieved under President Putin, under your management and the entire leadership of the Russian government. You ensure economic and political stability, the population’s living standards are improving, and you even enhance Russia’s posture in the international arena," the Vietnamese leader told the visiting Russian PM.


Luong Cuong has described Moscow as one of Hanoi’s "primary partners" as he praised Mishustin’s visit as "a good way to start" the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Vietnam.

The decision to increase the number of flights between Russia and Vietnam was made during the visit of the Russian delegation to the country, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko told reporters on the sidelines of intergovernmental talks.

"We see such decisions that are made at once. In particular, on the increase in the number of mutual flights - not only Russian ones, two are flying now, Vietnamese companies will also make flights," Chernyshenko said.

Special tariffs will be set for such goals, the deputy prime minister noted. Other measures will also be taken to boost the tourist exchange between the countries.

Russia has investments in Vietnam’s oil assets in the South China Sea region where China has claims. Russia’s engagements with North Korea and Myanmar have alarmed Beijing as it felt that Moscow has inroads into its “backyard”.