New Chapter in Vietnam’s Relations with Traditional Friends

Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation concluded a successful visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Belarus from May 5–12, achieving important and positive outcomes. On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son shared the outcomes of this trip with the press.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam (R) and President Vladimir Putin shake hands at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 10, 2025

Could you highlight the significance and key outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam’s visits to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Belarus, as well as the attendance at the Victory Day Parade commemorating the Great Patriotic War?

At the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus, General Secretary To Lam, accompanied by his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation, conducted a highly successful working trip to Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus from May 5 to 12, 2025.

This trip marked a new chapter in Vietnam’s cooperation with traditional friends from the former Soviet Union. It not only reinforced but also revitalized and redefined bilateral relations with these countries nurtured by generations of Vietnamese leaders, their peoples, and their partner nations.

Moreover, this visit was a meaningful opportunity to reaffirm Vietnam’s consistent gratitude and solidarity to the nations that wholeheartedly supported Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and unification in the past, and the ongoing national construction and development today. Leaders and peoples in the host countries extended heartfelt, warm, and exceptionally respectful welcomes to General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and the Vietnamese delegation.

General Secretary To Lam and President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko sign a joint statement on the establishment of the two countries’ strategic partnership

With more than 80 intensive and diverse activities during eight days in four countries, General Secretary To Lam held bilateral talks and meetings with senior leaders, engaged with political parties, circles and businesses, visited some economic and cultural institutions, and met with Vietnamese expatriate communities.

He also attended the 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Russia and the 80th Anniversary of the Victory over Fascism in Kazakhstan. These events expressed Vietnam’s deep respect for huge losses and sacrifices of former Soviet states in the fight against fascism to put an end to global warfare and open a new chapter for national liberation revolutions all over the world, including in Vietnam.

Ministers, senior officials and local leaders accompanying the delegation also had productive meetings with their counterparts across various sectors of cooperation. We are very proud that leaders and circles in the four countries expressed high regard for Vietnam’s remarkable all-faceted achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party and General Secretary To Lam as well as Vietnam’s transformational and innovative reforms to advance toward the ascending era of the nation.

The trip yielded notable results below:

First, the trip underscored Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development; diversification and multilateralization of external relations; and active, comprehensive and deep international integration as outlined by the 13th National Party Congress. Vietnam is a trustworthy friend, partner and responsible member of the international community.

Vietnam upgraded its diplomatic ties to strategic partnerships with Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belarus, bringing the total number of strategic partnerships to 37. Additionally, Vietnam further deepened the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia, thus enhancing political trust and exploring new directions for cooperation appropriate for the bilateral relationship in the new era of development.

Second, General Secretary To Lam and the leaders of the host countries affirmed the high regard and placed the high priority to traditional friendships forged through historic challenges and steadfast solidarity in past struggles for independence and today’s national development efforts, particularly in the context of unpredictable global uncertainties. This spirit was a “red thread” throughout meetings with President Kassym Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus.

Third, the meetings between General Secretary To Lam and senior leaders of the host countries yielded substantial results, shaped the future bilateral relationship, created new momentum for both traditional and emerging areas of cooperation, aligned with the stature of upgraded relations.

General Secretary To Lam and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev witness the exchange of the cooperation agreement between the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Television and Radio Complex of the President of Kazakhstan 

General Secretary To Lam and partner leaders agreed to enhance political trust through regular delegation exchanges and high-level contacts across various channels. In economics, trade, and investment, the Intergovernmental Committee model was recognized for its importance and encouraged for better performance, with all sides putting forth measures to realize signed commitments and agreements and endeavoring to lift bilateral trade in commensuration with fine political relationship.

The business climate will be significantly improved to facilitate companies’ investments and operations in each other’s markets. In energy and mining, the leaders agreed to strengthen oil and gas exploration cooperation and provide oil and gas services while also jointly conducting research, recommending appropriate solutions to enhance energy cooperation, including clean energy and renewable energy.

A lot of specific measures were also introduced to foster substantive cooperation in defense and security, science and technology, digital transformation, education and training, high-tech agriculture, transportation and logistics, culture, sports, tourism, labor, people-to-people exchanges, and local cooperation.

Fourth, on the multilateral front, we will more clearly see closer cooperation between Vietnam and these countries in regional and international organizations, particularly the United Nations. The leaders agreed upon the importance of maintaining peace, security and stability as well as peacefully resolving disputes in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

During the trip, around 60 cooperation agreements were inked between Vietnam and Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus, covering diplomacy, security and defense, science and technology, energy, education and training, aviation and other fields, engaged by central agencies and businesses. These agreements will provide an important legal framework for Vietnam and the partner countries to deepen their substantive and effective relations.

While attending the Victory Day Parade commemorating the Great Patriotic War, General Secretary To Lam also held bilateral exchanges with other heads of state and leaders to discuss priorities in further elevating the bilateral relations. They congratulated Vietnam on the successful organization of the 50th anniversary of southern liberation and national reunification and highly appreciated Vietnam's impressive development achievement in all aspects.

During the visit, General Secretary To Lam and the leaders of the host countries achieved significant outcomes across various fields, laying an important foundation for lifting the bilateral relations between Vietnam and these nations to a new plane. What specific measures will Vietnam take to effectively realize the outcomes of this trip? 

The visit by General Secretary To Lam produced remarkable, specific, substantial and enduring results which will provide a strong foundation, powerful momentum, and clear direction for Vietnam and the partner countries to realize the goals on par with their upgraded relationships.

To effectively implement the important results achieved during the visit, Vietnam and its partners will coordinate actively and closely with each other, based on the spirit of joint statements, cooperation agreements, and perceptions of high-level leaders. Key areas of focus include:

First, maintaining regular high-level exchanges and contacts through all channels, including political party cooperation, enhanced government and parliamentary coordination and elevated roles of intergovernmental committees. As a result, Vietnam and the partner countries will effectively sustain the development momentum of bilateral relations, reinforce political trust, and deepen the lasting traditional friendship.

Second, effectively operationalizing cooperation mechanisms to elevate substantive cooperation across all sectors. After the visit, working agencies of Vietnam and the partner countries will actively exchange and coordinate to materialize the signed agreements. Aligned with the spirit of the joint statements and shared understandings between the leaders, Vietnam and the partner countries will work together to agree on concrete solutions to enhance their effective cooperation. This includes boosting the performance of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and jointly working out measures to resolve existing issues.

In economics, trade and investment, Vietnam will work with partners on both bilateral and multilateral fronts through the intergovernmental committee mechanism and through Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to improve the business environment and facilitate long-term investment and commercial engagement in each other’s markets. Vietnam will also collaborate with its partners to explore and diversify import-export goods, while developing multimodal transport and connectivity to foster trade promotion in a manner that matches the potential and strengths of all parties involved.

Ministries, sectors, localities and businesses of Vietnam and the partner countries will work together to exchange ideas and conduct joint research to expand existing cooperation projects in traditional spheres such as energy, oil and gas, industry, agriculture, transportation, railway and aviation connectivity. At the same time, they will gradually develop and implement new cooperation projects in new areas like clean energy, renewable energy, science and technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence.

Third, reinforcing people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and the partner countries through cultural exchange, academic research, education and training, tourism and other activities to solidify the humanistic foundation for bilateral relations. The Party and State of Vietnam will facilitate the citizens of these countries in studying, working, and traveling in Vietnam. This effort will make future generations understand and continue to nurture the time-honored, historic friendship between Vietnam and its partner countries.

Fourth, maintaining coordination, cooperation and mutual support within multilateral mechanisms and forums, especially the United Nations. Given the foundation of traditional friendship and high mutual trust, Vietnam will actively engage in dialogues with its partners on regional and international issues of mutual concern, thus contributing jointly to peace, stability and cooperation in the region and around the world. Vietnam is ready to be a bridge for countries to bolster cooperation with ASEAN and the Southeast Asian region. In return, Vietnam hopes that its partners will help Vietnam expand its cooperation and connectivity with other regions.

The summit meeting between General Secretary To Lam and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku capital, May 7, 2025

The visits of General Secretary To Lam and his spouse, along with the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus were very successful. These visits drew significant attention and received positive recognition from both regional and international communities, contributing to elevating Vietnam’s standing and prestige on the international arena.

The outcomes of this trip will become a solid foundation, a driving force, and a source of inspiration for Vietnam and its partners to sustain and elevate their time-honored friendship. These will contribute to the development of each country for the interest of their peoples and for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world.                                                                                                            

Thank you very much!

Source: Vietnam Business Forum