Party General Secretary To Lam wraps up official visit to Russia
The visit also showed that Vietnam wants to further strengthen political trust between the two countries, identify orientations to bring the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia to new heights, strengthen the cooperative relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and major political parties in Russia.
Russian Deputy PM Dmitry Chernyshenko (L) bids farewell to Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse. (Photo: VNA)
Moscow (VNA) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Centr▨al Committee To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Moscow on May 11 afternoon (local time), concluding their official visit to Russia and heading to Minsk for a state visit to Belarus at the invitation of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The Vietnamese Party leader, his spouse and entourage paid an official visit to Russia from May 8-11 where they also attended the ceremony celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War as guests of President Vladimir Putin.
While in Russia, the General Secretary attended the official welcome ceremony for heads of delegations and their spouses at the Kremlin Palace, the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the official banquet hosted by President Putin. He also observed the ceremony celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War at the Red Square, commemorating the monumental sacrifices and contributions of the former Soviet Union and today’s Russia in defeating fascism and defending global peace.
For the first time, the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) has sent 86 officers and soldiers to participate in the parade, helping to affirm Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification and reflecting the country's responsibility in building and maintaining an environment of peace, stability, cooperation, and development, while also elevating the VPA’s images, stature and mettle.
On this occasion, General Secretary Lam held bilateral meetings with several high-level leaders, including First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel; Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping; President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev; President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro; President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh; and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.
At these meetings, the foreign leaders congratulated Vietnam on the successful celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification. They affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of these nations in Southeast Asia.
Also during the visit, Party General Secretary To Lam and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks, witnessed the signing of cooperation documents, and met with the press. The Party chief also held meetings with Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin, Speaker of the Russian Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the United Russia Party Dmitry Medvedev, and Chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) Central Committee Gennady Zyuganov.
He also met with Russian intellectuals and experts who had supported Vietnam through the years, delivered a speech at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), and attended the Vietnam–Russia business forum. The Vietnamese leader spent time receiving Russian business leaders, while attending a ceremony marking the resumption of direct flights between Hanoi and Moscow by Vietnam Airlines as well as the inauguration of the Vietnam’s TH true MILK dairy processing plant in Kaluga oblast.
At these meetings, both sides discussed areas of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. They affirmed that the leaders of Vietnam and Russia highly value the bilateral long-standing traditional friendship, which has been tested by time and continuously strengthened, serving the long-term interests of both nations' people and contributing to regional and global peace and development. On this occasion, Vietnam and Russia adopted a joint statement outlining key orientations for their comprehensive strategic partnership in the new period.
Within the framework of the visit, Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation laid flowers at the President Ho Chi Minh Statue in the Ho Chi Minh Square and at the memorial stele of Party General Secretary Le Duan in the Le Duan Square in Moscow.
The farewell ceremony for the Vietnamese leader at the airport in Moscow. (Photo: VNA)
The visit took place at a historical moment, with high symbolism and a great significance when the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations along with important historical milestones in each nation. Specifically, Russia has celebrated the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (May 9, 1945 - 2025). Vietnam has celebrated the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2025), and will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2025).
The visit also showed that Vietnam wants to further strengthen political trust between the two countries, identify orientations to bring the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia to new heights, strengthen the cooperative relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and major political parties in Russia. It affirmed that Vietnam is a loyal and close friend of countries with traditional friendship, and a responsible member of the international community; and created more important driving forces to bring the country into a new era, and realise the set development goals, thereby actively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, and in the world./.
On that basis, both sides expressed their determination to fully tap into the potential, advantages, and available opportunities for bilateral cooperation, preserve and strengthen their traditional friendship, and elevate the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level in terms of quality.
All parties in the State Duma of Russia support Vietnam and are committed to strengthening cooperation with Vietnam, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Vyacheslav Volodin, told Party General Secretary To Lam during their meeting in Moscow on May 10.
Vietnam and Russia share great similarities in history, spirit, vision, and value. Few countries in the world win such steadfast and deep affection from generations of Vietnamese people like the Soviet Union in the past and Russia at present, said Party General Secretary To Lam.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
