Русский
Vladimir Putin has met with, Pham Minh Chinh, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, following the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan.
This is what they had to say:
Putin:
“Once again, allow me to warmly welcome you to Russia. I have warm memories from my recent visit to Vietnam and the conversation we had. It was a rewarding event for our entire delegation. We received a very warm welcome, and from the start, we felt that we were in a friendly country, in a welcoming atmosphere, among friends.
Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Our political dialogue is intensive and substantive, along with ongoing interaction at the level of parliaments, ministries, government agencies, political parties, and public associations.
Trade is on the rise. In 2023, we saw an 8.3% increase in mutual trade, reaching US$5 billion, and in January-August 2024, it grew by as much as 25%.
The Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation is working smoothly, and the agreements reached at the highest and intergovernmental levels are being consistently implemented. Russia and Vietnam are cooperating in the energy sector, industrial production, agriculture, and education. This year, we have allocated an additional quota of 1,000 state-funded places for Vietnamese students at Russian universities.
Friends, we are grateful to each of you for participating in the Kazan Summit. Thank you for your informative remarks at today’s meeting. We strongly support Vietnam’s interest in participating in the BRICS group’s multifaceted activities.”
Pham:
“Comrade Vladimir Putin, Russian colleagues, I extend my sincere gratitude for your warm words and sentiments towards Vietnam.
Comrade President Vladimir Putin, on the occasion of your birthday, on October 7, I previously conveyed my best wishes to you. Today, allow me to reiterate those greetings. I have brought you a gift as well – two dragons, one small and one large. In Vietnam and across Asia, the dragon is regarded as the supreme symbol of power. The small dragon signifies the power within Russia, while the large dragon represents your influence outside Russia, across the globe. Within our Asian horoscope, there are 12 animals, with the dragon symbolising the most significant power. I am aware that you were born under the sign of the dragon.
Allow me to also extend my congratulations to Russia. Despite encountering numerous challenges, you continue to demonstrate remarkable economic growth, surpassing the average development rate worldwide. This attests to the internal capacity and self-sufficiency of your economy, and the development opportunities within your country. Each day, you are enhancing your role, position, and reputation on the global stage.
This reflects the Russian character, Russian nature, Russian culture, and Russian values. It exemplifies your resilience in the face of difficulties, challenges, or any adversaries. This serves as an example for us.
I wish to express my gratitude for inviting Vietnam to participate in the BRICS Heads of State meeting in 2024. Let me also extend my congratulations to you on your success in organising this summit, which you are chairing this year.
Our leaders have been closely monitoring the BRICS Summit and are very pleased with your achievements and Russia’s accomplishments in organising this event. Every time I visit Russia, I feel as though I am returning home to family. We will never forget the tremendous support, impartiality, sincerity, and righteous assistance that the Russian people have extended to Vietnam during the struggle for our nation’s independence, the unification of our country in the past, and the ongoing efforts in building and developing our nation.
Witnessing the magnificent beauty, outstanding development, and significant accomplishments of Russia in all fields under your leadership, I am reminded of the profound meaning of the Soviet song ”Where the Motherland Begins“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IjAYTyDGKs I am aware of your fondness for this song.
For Vietnam, Russia has consistently been one of our primary, most important, and comprehensive strategic partners, and we regard you with respect and warm feelings. These sentiments will remain unchanged.”
Analysis & Implications
What with Gifts of Dragons, and lots of old Communist-style greetings such as calling each other ‘Comrade’, and recalling old Soviet-era songs amid an overall outpouring of personal warmth, it is clear that Russia-Vietnam ties are well-established and friendly. Vietnam has also been invited to take up the status of ‘BRICS Partner’ and will be looking to ratify this before the year end.
Vietnam also has a Free Trade Agreement with Russia via the Eurasian Economic Union, and both sides have made strides to get their bilateral trade levels back on track following a dip in 2022. In 2024, it should reach US$6.25 billion, yet still below the US$10 billion peak achieved four years ago.
Vietnam is the third ‘Asian Tiger’ economy to be considered for ‘BRICS Partner’ status. A member of ASEAN, it is one of the two Marxist–Leninist states in Southeast Asia and shares land borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia. It has maritime borders with Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Vietnam has been a beneficiary of the ‘China Plus One’ concept, where rising costs in China manufacturing have seen many manufacturing investors relocate or partially relocate to Vietnam, which offers similar productivity levels but at lower cost. Vietnam has also become a major exporter of agricultural products and is the world’s largest producer of cashew nuts, the largest producer of black pepper, and the second-largest rice exporter in the world. Vietnam is also the world’s second-largest exporter of coffee. Apart from its ASEAN membership, Vietnam also has Free Trade Agreements with Australia, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mexico, Peru, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, as well as with the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Vietnam has a population of slightly over 100 million, a GDP (PPP) of about US$1.6 trillion, and a per capita GDP (PPP) estimated at about US$15,500. 2024 GDP growth is expected to reach 6.8%.
In terms of its Vietnam trade, Russia exports coal, iron, and fertilizers, while Vietnam exports coffee and seafood. There are opportunities for Russian manufacturing in Vietnam to take advantage of its beneficial Free Trade position. Kamaz has a successful production line in the country.
Further Reading
