Cyprus News Agency

Putin spoke at the opening of his meeting in Moscow with Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Recalling that the Vietnamese people celebrated Independence Day on September 2, Putin said that special bonds of friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation between the two peoples were formed during Vietnam's struggle for sovereignty.

Putin said Vietnam had achieved significant results during its period of independence and full sovereignty under the country's leadership and continued to move forward on the basis of its sovereignty.

Noting that bilateral relations between Russia and Vietnam are developing, Putin said trade volume increased by approximately 6 percent in 2025, while the pace of trade growth nearly doubled in the first half of 2026.

Putin said the two countries also continue their work in other areas, particularly culture, education and security, and noted that alongside existing projects, there are new and promising initiatives.

Putin expressed confidence that today's work and the signing of the relevant documents will create a solid foundation for the further development of the special strategic relationship between Russia and Vietnam.