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Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (R) and his visiting Russian counterpart Dmitry Nikolayevich Chernyshenko in Hanoi on January 13. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Russian Deputy PMs discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha met with his visiting Russian counterpart Dmitry Nikolayevich Chernyshenko in Hanoi on January 13.

The officials are the respective chairpersons of the Vietnamese and Russian subcommittees within the Vietnam-Russia Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic-Trade and Scientific-Technological Cooperation.

During the meeting, Ha stressed that Vietnam pursues a consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification. Noting the importance of relations with Russia, he expressed Vietnam’s wish to enhance bilateral cooperation across various fields.

The two Deputy PMs reviewed the implementation of cooperation activities since the 25th session of the intergovernmental committee in September 2024.

In the first 11 months of last year, bilateral trade turnover amounted to 4.1 billion USD, up 27.4% year-on-year. Vietnam and Russia have undertaken cooperative initiatives and explored potential projects in industries such as machinery, metallurgy, chemicals, mineral processing, renewable energy equipment manufacturing, and transportation. Their energy cooperation has expanded into new areas, including gas-fired power plant construction, renewable energy infrastructure, and the modernization of Vietnam’s energy facilities, cited VNA.

Many measures were also agreed upon to enhance collaboration in sectors like agriculture, IT, science, education, culture, and sports; to promote tourism and people-to-people exchanges, increase Vietnamese and Russian language teaching, maintain scholarships for Vietnamese students in Russia, and encourage Russian students to study in Vietnam; and to simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens traveling to Russia for work or travel.

The two Deputy PMs acknowledged that bilateral economic and trade cooperation has yet to match the potential and strong political-diplomatic relations shared by the two countries. They called for greater efforts from ministries and sectors to expand the framework for bilateral joint work, remove trade barriers, and facilitate investment projects by businesses from both nations.

Ha expressed his confidence that 2025 will mark a leap in the growth of Vietnam-Russia relations across all sectors through the mechanism of the intergovernmental committee and its subcommittees and working groups, contributing to strengthening the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.

Mishustin begins Vietnam visit to foster Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin arrived in Hanoi on January 14 morning, beginning a two-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by a foreign leader since the beginning of 2025, underscoring Russia’s strong emphasis on its relationship with Vietnam. This visit takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950 - 2025). It aims to strengthen and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

Over the past 75 years, the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Russia has been continuously strengthened. The Party, State, and people of Vietnam deeply value this enduring friendship and cherish the invaluable support and assistance provided by the former Soviet Union and modern-day Russia.

Vietnam identifies its relationship with Russia as strategically significant, considering Russia a top partner in its foreign policy. In turn, Russia regards Vietnam as a trusted partner and one of its highest priorities in its foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region.

2024 saw the leaders of the two countries frequently hold high-level exchanges and meetings, providing a crucial political foundation to boost bilateral cooperation. During President Vladimir Putin’s State visit to Vietnam in June 2024, the two sides adopted a joint statement to further deepen the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In subsequent interactions, including phone calls between General Secretary and President To Lam and President Putin in August 2024, an official visit to Russia by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man in September 2024, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s meeting with President Putin during the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, both sides reaffirmed their high level of political trust and had substantive discussions on specific directions and areas to advance bilateral relations in the current period.

The two countries also closely coordinated at international organizations and multilateral forums, sharing similar stances on many global and regional issues, according to VOV.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin arrived in Hanoi on January 14 morning, beginning a two-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. (Photo: VNA)

Economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Russia are gradually recovering momentum. Two-way trade turnover reached US$3.63 billion in 2023, and grew to US$4.1 billion in the first 11 months of 2024, marking a year-on-year rise of 27.4%. Exports totaled US$2.1 billion, up 35.7%, while imports amounted to US$2 billion, up 29.2%.

As of early November 2024, Russia had 199 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of approximately US$990 million, ranking 26th out of 147 countries and territories investing in the country. Meanwhile, Vietnam had 16 active investment projects valued at US$1.6 billion in Russia, making it the fourth largest destination among the 81 countries and territories where Vietnam has investments.

The two countries have also enhanced their cooperation in education-training and science-technology. They have undertaken numerous research and technology transfer projects, with significant outcomes achieved through scientific cooperation within the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center. Both sides are now advancing a project to establish a nuclear science and technology research center.

Cultural, sports, and tourism cooperation has been actively promoted through the annual and alternating organization of Cultural Days in Vietnam and Russia. Local-level cooperation has also been sustained and strengthened through delegation visits and agreements, with approximately 20 local-level partnerships established between the two countries.

Building on these achievements, Mishustin’s visit aims to advance the major directions previously discussed and agreed upon by the two countries’ senior leaders. It seeks to outline measures to expand cooperation in potential areas, fostering momentum for bilateral relations. The visit also underscores their strong commitment to maintaining and developing their comprehensive strategic partnership, making it increasingly substantive, practical, and effective.

During his visit, Mishustin is expected to hold talks and meetings with senior Vietnamese leaders. Discussions will cover areas of cooperation such as trade, economy, culture, and humanitarian efforts, with a particular focus on implementing joint projects in energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture.

PM seeks stronger labor, education cooperation with Finland

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Arto Olavi Satonen, Minister for Employment from the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, in Hanoi on January 13, believing that his visit would further bolster the traditional friendship and all-around cooperation between the two countries, especially in labor and employment.

The PM welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on labor cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, which was complemented by the successful Vietnam-Finland labor Cooperation Forum.

Vietnam always values and advocates for further promoting and deepening the bilateral traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation, he said.

Acknowledging strides in bilateral economic, trade and investment collaboration, both sides agreed that it has not yet reached its full potential. labor cooperation is identified as an area with ample room for further collaboration, where both countries can complement each other's strengths.

Looking to the future, the PM proposed continuing to explore the establishment of new mechanisms to step up cooperation in sci-tech, innovation, and vocational education, while also venturing into such new and promising fields as green transition, digital transformation, renewable energy, green economy and circular economy, VNA reported.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Arto Olavi Satonen, Minister for Employment from the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, in Hanoi on January 13. (Photo: VNA)

The focus will be on harnessing technology transfer, building tech infrastructure, and upskilling for high-tech industries to keep pace with the evolving job market.

With Vietnam's vibrant and expanding workforce of over 52 million, the PM encouraged Finland to keep the scholarship doors wide open for Vietnamese students.

The two ministries should agree on methods to effectively realise the newly-signed MoU, connect businesses from both countries and facilitate the mobility of Vietnamese workers to Finland, he said, noting Finland should inform workers about their rights and obligations, while Vietnam should equip its workforce with the necessary skills, legal understanding, and cultural awareness.

He also called for more high-level exchanges to cement political trust, pushing both countries to leverage the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to lift trade and investment, aiming to match the true potential of their economies. Cultural and tourism cooperation was also highlighted as a priority.

With the Helsinki Mayor present, the PM floated ideas of city-to-city partnerships, particularly spotlighting Hanoi, and hoped for continued Finnish support for the Vietnamese community in the country.

Minister Satonen, in turn, described Vietnam as an important partner of Finland in the region, commending the positive contributions of the 50,000 Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Finland.

He marveled at Vietnam's development since his last visit in 2009 and agreed with the PM’s proposals for cooperation, saying that Finland wishes to further deepen collaboration with Vietnam, especially in education, labor, and cultural exchange.

Helsinki is ready to welcome Vietnamese workers, professionals and students, eager to share its know-how and collaborate with Hanoi to make it an innovative city and attract more global investment, its mayor said.

TasteAtlas praises Vietnamese spring rolls on global list of best fried-dishes

Vietnamese fried spring rolls (Cha gio) have been officially recognised by international cuisine magazine TasteAtlas as being among the world’s best rated fried-dishes.

The local delicacy is the only Vietnamese representative to feature on the list, ranking 43rd with a rating of 4.3/5 stars.

Called Cha gio in the south and Nem ran in northern Vietnam, both names are used to refer to fried spring rolls. The main characteristic of these scrumptious rolls is the pork and shrimp filling found within, which is wrapped in delicate rice paper, the website wrote.

TasteAtlas revealed that frequent additions to the stuffing include vegetables such as carrots, cabbage, or mushrooms, as well as glass noodles and bean sprouts.

The rolls are swiftly fried to achieve an appetizing golden colour with a thin, crispy, and light outer layer, as well as a delectable filling, it added.

Vietnamese fried spring rolls (Cha gio) are one of the world’s best rated fried-dishes. (Photo: Internet)

Topping the list is fried chicken from the Republic of Korea. The other specialties to feature among the Top 5 dishes includes Karaage of Japan, Fritto misto of Italy, Jalea of Peru, and Pempek of Indonesia.

In May, 2023, TasteAtlas picked out Vietnamese fried spring rolls on the list of 100 most popular appetizers from around the world.

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia, TasteAtlas is best known for its global map of traditional dishes. The rankings on Taste Atlas are based on various opinions and reviews offered by culinary experts and critics, ensuring the reliability of the awards.

PM calls for Russia’s support in high-tech advancement of nuclear science

PM Pham Minh Chinh expressed his hope that the Russian side will help Vietnam in training personnel and maximising its potential, transfer technology, and share management expertise in nuclear power.

Receiving Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev in Hanoi, the PM noted that Vietnam always remembers and appreciates Russia’s assistance during its past struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as in the present cause of national construction and development.

Vietnam highly values its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia, in which energy cooperation for peaceful purposes and space research is a highly promising field, he continued.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) receives Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev in Hanoi on Monday. Photo

The leader also emphasised Russia's cooperation with and support for Vietnam in training scientists and experts in nuclear energy, designing and operating the Da Lat Nuclear Reactor, developing the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center, and supplying radioactive pharmaceuticals for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Vietnam is poised to enter a new era - the era of the nation’s rise for prosperity and civilisation, he said, stressing Vietnam’s goal of becoming a developing nation with a modern industrial base and upper middle-income by 2030 and a developed country with high income by 2045.

As part of this vision, Vietnam plans to restart its nuclear power project to ensure energy security, support national development, and fulfill its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Chính said.

The PM expressed his hope that the Russian side will help Vietnam in training personnel and maximising its potential, transfer technology, and share management expertise in this regard, cited VNS.

For his part, Likhachev said Rosatom wishes to continue strengthening cooperation with Vietnam and implementing high-level agreements between the two countries.

Rosatom stands ready to cooperate with and assist Vietnam in building nuclear power plants, establishing a new, modern nuclear center, transferring technology, localising nuclear products, and developing nuclear science and industry, with a long-term vision spanning hundreds of years, he said.

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