This is Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko’s third official visit to Viet Nam, following her previous visits in 2012 and 2017. The visit provides an important opportunity for both sides to reaffirm their commitment to and further promote the Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a new phase of development.
Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1950, Viet Nam-Soviet Union/Russia relations have made significant progress, particularly since the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2012. Notably, the recent state visit to Russia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam in September 2026 marked an important milestone, strengthening strategic trust and generating fresh momentum for cooperation in key strategic areas, including the economy, energy, and science and technology.
Both sides seek to fully leverage their longstanding friendship and cooperation opportunities in this new phase of development. Viet Nam regards Russia as one of its most important and trusted partners and wishes to work with Russia to elevate bilateral cooperation across all areas in line with the interests and development needs of both countries. Russia considers Viet Nam an important partner in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. The two countries engage in regular exchange of delegations and contacts at various levels and through various channels, while coordinating with and supporting each other on international issues.
As an important component of their positive bilateral relations, parliamentary cooperation has continued to be strengthened and developed. The two sides regularly exchange delegations and hold meetings at senior and other levels, helping enhance political trust and promote the implementation of cooperation agreements between the two legislatures.
Within the framework of multilateral cooperation, the two sides maintain regular contacts and actively coordinate, consult, exchange views, and support each other at multilateral parliamentary forums, including the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Parliaments (MSEAP), and the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament. Regular high-level meetings on the sidelines of these multilateral parliamentary forums help maintain political trust and coordinate positions between the legislative bodies of the two countries.
Regarding cooperation with the Federation Council (upper house), the two sides signed a cooperation agreement during President of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man’s visit to Russia in September 2024. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly subsequently issued a plan to implement the agreement, outlining specific activities to strengthen exchanges of experience in legislation and oversight and promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The two sides are currently discussing a draft Joint Action Program for 2026-2028.
Regarding cooperation with the State Duma (lower house), the two sides signed a cooperation agreement in 2009 and renewed it in 2013. During the 2018 visit to Viet Nam by State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, the two sides also signed an agreement on the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. This was the first high-level bilateral inter-parliamentary cooperation mechanism established between Viet Nam’s National Assembly and a foreign legislative body. Meeting alternately in each country, the committee has successfully held four sessions to date.
Underpinned by a high level of political trust, relations between the two countries have grown increasingly close, helping promote cooperation across many important fields. Bilateral trade continues to expand, reaching USD 4.07 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 13 percent year on year.
In energy and oil and gas cooperation, the two sides have signed an agreement on cooperation in the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant and are negotiating a credit agreement for the project. In defense and security, they continue to organize many delegation exchanges at various levels and expand cooperation into new areas. The two sides are also actively organizing activities within the framework of the 2026 Viet Nam-Russia Year of Science and Education Cooperation.
Tourism cooperation has recorded impressive growth, with more than 1.2 million Russian visitors traveling to Viet Nam in the first nine months of 2026, 2.6 times the figure recorded in the same period of 2025.
Against the backdrop of positive bilateral relations, the official visit to Viet Nam by Valentina Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, aims to effectively implement cooperation commitments outlined in the Joint Statement on Further Strengthening the Viet Nam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the New Era, adopted during General Secretary and President To Lam’s state visit to Russia in September.
The visit is expected to create new momentum and enhance the role of bilateral parliamentary cooperation, while promoting collaboration in areas where Russia has strengths and Viet Nam has demand, including science and technology, innovation, culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
Translated by Quynh Oanh