Vietnam plans to sign agreements to send more Vietnamese workers to Russia and facilitate easier travel for citizens of both countries.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Chairman of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin. Source: VNA

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man shared this view during talks with Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin, Chairman of the Russian State Duma on September 9 in Moscow, confirming that Vietnam values its cooperation with Russia through all channels.

Volodin also emphasized that Russia considers Vietnam a close partner. He praised Man's visit, stating it laid a solid foundation and made a positive contribution to the development of the Russia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Vietnamese top lawmaker expressed his gratitude for Russia's support in ensuring security and providing favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community living, working, and studying in Russia. He also noted that both countries should further promote labor cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

He stressed the need for both sides to quickly finalize and sign agreements to facilitate the employment of Vietnamese workers in Russia, while also making travel and exchanges between citizens of the two nations more convenient. On local cooperation, Man mentioned that there are currently 20 partnerships between Vietnamese and Russian localities. He urged these regions to foster more substantial and regular exchanges.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Chairwoman of the Federation Council Matviyenko.

Volodin suggested that both sides continue exploring, expanding, and creating new cooperation mechanisms.

Man also urged intensifying the exchange of legislative experience, strengthening supervision, and expediting the implementation of cooperation agreements signed by the governments of both countries. He called for the creation of a favorable legal framework to support governments, localities, businesses, and the people of both nations.

Following the talks, Man and Volodin co-chaired the third session of the Vietnam-Russia Interparliamentary Cooperation Committee. Delegates from both sides discussed legislative experiences in promoting bilateral cooperation in various fields, including economy, trade, investment, finance, banking, energy, science and technology, education and training, construction, and healthcare.

On the same day, Man also held talks with Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council. Matviyenko emphasized that tourism development reflects the strong and friendly relations between the two countries. She called for more direct flights between Vietnam and Russia to maintain this momentum.

Man reiterated Vietnam's commitment to advancing cooperation with Russia in key areas such as economy, trade, investment, energy, defense, science, education, culture, sports, tourism, healthcare, and local cooperation. He expressed support for Russia's increased presence in the Asia-Pacific region and its enhanced cooperation with ASEAN, with Vietnam willing to serve as a bridge for Russia’s collaboration with ASEAN nations.

Man also requested Russia's support for the positions of ASEAN and Vietnam in resolving the East Sea (South China Sea) disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with international law, in particular the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Following the meeting,   Man and Matviyenko signed a cooperation agreement between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Russian Federation Council. They also witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Ba Ria-Vung Tau province in Vietnam and Rostov Region in Russia.

Man's visit to Russia, from September 8 to 10, marked his first overseas trip in his new role and the first visit to Russia by a key Vietnamese Party and state leader in 2024.

In June 1994, Vietnam and Russia signed the Treaty on the Fundamental Principles of Friendly Relations. The two countries established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2012.

According to the Vietnam General Department of Customs, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Russia reached $3.63 billion in 2023, up 2.3% from 2022. In 2023, Russia offered 1,000 scholarships to Vietnamese students, and there are currently about 5,000 Vietnamese students studying in Russia. The Vietnamese community in Russia is estimated to number between 60,000 and 80,000 people.