Vietnam (the Democratic Republic of Vietnam then) established diplomatic relations with the U.S.S.R (the Russian Federation at present) on 30th January 1950.

1. Politics

The bilateral political relations are increasingly stronger with much more trust due to frequent exchanges of visits among high-ranking leaders, ministerial officials and localities. In 2001, the two sides established Strategic Partnership relations during the Russian President V. Putin’s official visit to Vietnam.

Most of the legal foundations for the bilateral relations have been laid. During the period from 1991 to 2006, about 50 bilateral agreements were inked. It is more noteworthy that the two sides have reasonably resolved outstanding issues from the Soviet era such as Vietnam’s debt and Russia’s early withdrawal from the military port of Cam Ranh.

The two countries share the same views on many international and regional issues, supporting each other at many international forums such as the UN, APEC, ASEAN and ARF. Vietnam supports Russia’s participation in the ASEM forums and East Asia Summit.

2. Investment, economic – trade relations

Trade: annual turnover of about 350 – 400 million USD in the mid-1990s is now over 1 billion USD (2005), 15% annual growth, with Vietnam always having trade deficit. However, since 2006, Vietnam’s trade deficit has significantly decreased.

Vietnam's main exports to Russia include agricultural and aquatic products, light industrial goods with agricultural products growing steadily (vegetables, cashew nuts, coffee, frozen and dried aquatic products, textiles and shoes). Aquatic products are growing at a fast rate. In 2005, the trade turnover was only 60 million USD and in 2006, it was 160 million USD. Imported goods from Russia, which are mainly metal, fertilizer, petroleum, oil and machines, have decreased since 2006 due to competition from China and neighboring markets.

Petroleum, natural gas and energy are traditional and effective fields of cooperation, generating large revenues for both countries (29% Vietnam’s 2006 budget), and are given priority in the bilateral economic and trade relations. During the most recent visit to Russia by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung, the two countries signed a Supplementary Protocol on  the “Vietsopetro” Joint Venture contract for terms of its operations beyond 2010.

Russia continues to take part in upgrading and constructing hydro and thermal power plants, notably the Son La Hydropower plant. The Russian side expresses the wish to help Vietnam construct nuclear power plants in Vietnam, train specialists and set up a new Nuclear Research Center.

Investment: as of 31 January 2007, the Russian Federation had 48 projects in effect with a total pledged capital of 301 million USD (in reality, investment capital doubles the pledged amount), mainly concentrated on petroleum and oil industries, heavy and light industries, transportation, post, aquatic culture and fishing. Russia is encouraging Vietnam to construct subway networks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam currently has 11 investment projects in Russia with a total pledged capital of 38 million USD (11% of total Vietnam’s abroad investment projects). These are mostly small scale projects, mainly in trade, food processing, textiles and one project in the construction material field. In 2007, a 100 million USD project to build a Vietnam Commercial Center in Moscow is expected to start.

3. Education – training cooperation and cultural cooperation

Russia is one of the nations providing personnel training opportunities for Vietnam. Vietnam annually receives more than 250 scholarships for Bachelor and post-Bachelor training opportunities at Russian training institutions. The number of Vietnamese self-supported students in Russia surpasses the number 5,000. Cultural exchange activities between the two countries maintained through the organization of Culture Days have helped enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples.

4. Local cooperation

The cooperation among localities of the two countries has been reestablished through the exchange of activities and signing of cooperation documents.

5. The Vietnamese community in Russia

Due to historical and friendly ties between the two countries, the Vietnamese community in Russia (about 80 to 100 thousand people) has resided and worked in Russia for nearly two decades. Although the issue of their legal status remains unclear, the Vietnamese in Russia in general are not discriminated. A few have become successful entrepreneurs with investment projects in Russia and Vietnam.

Address of Diplomatic Mission

Vietnamese embassy in the Russian federation
Address: Moscow, Bolshaya Pirogovskaia, 13
Phone: (00-7-495) 247 0212
Fax: 245 1092
Non-working hours: 245 0925
Consulate (Phone/Fax): 246 0687, 246 6807
Email: dsqvn@com2com.ru

Vietnamese consulate general in Vladivostok
Address: 107/1 Pushkinskaya Street, Vladivostok – Russia
Phone: (00-7-4232) 226 927 – 205814 – 226948
Fax: 261 496
Email: tls_vla@yahoo.com

Russian Federation embassy in vietnam
Address: Hanoi, La Thành Str., 191
Phone: (844) 833-6991, (844) 833-6992
Fax: (844) 833-6995
Email: moscow.vietnam@hn.vnn.vn
Consulate (Phone/Fax): (844) 833-6575, (844) 833-6996
Email: kons_hanoi@hnn.vnn.vn

Russian Federation consulate general in Ho Chi Minh city
Address: Ho Chi Minh City, Bà Huyện Thanh Quan Str., 40
Phone: (848) 930-3936
Fax: (848) 930-3937
Email: cgrushcm@fmail.vnn.vn