In his congratulatory message, President Putin wrote: "Developing a strategic partnership with Viet Nam has always been one of the priorities of Russia's foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region. Our foreign policy has been tested by time and has not been affected by changes in the world."

He went on: "I believe that we will be able to continue to develop the great potential of cooperation between Russia and Viet Nam in the interests of the two peoples, and for security and stability in the region and the world."(VNA)