General Phan Văn Giang, Member of the Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense, and a high-level delegation of the V...
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| General Phan Văn Giang, Member of the Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense, and a high-level delegation of the Vietnam Ministry of National Defense laid flowers at the memorial for Vietnamese international volunteer soldiers who participated in the fight to defend Moscow during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945). |
Achievements in Cultivating the Traditional Friendship between Vietnam and the Russian Federation: A Symbol of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
An analysis of the notable results in bilateral relations during the visit and historical tribute activities by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense delegation to Russia on May 23, 2026.
On May 23, 2026, during his official visit to the Russian Federation and while co-chairing the second consultation session on maritime cooperation, General Phan Văn Giang – Politburo Member, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of National Defense of Vietnam – together with the high-level delegation of the Ministry of National Defense, carried out activities of deep historical significance: laying flowers at the Memorial to Vietnamese International Volunteer Soldiers who participated in the defense of Moscow during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), and visiting the museum complex “Road of Memory” as well as the Main Cathedral of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
These activities are not merely diplomatic formalities; they are vivid proof of the substantial achievements attained after decades of cultivating the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.
Optimized Google Search Snippet: The visit and historical tribute activities by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense delegation to Russia on May 23, 2026, affirm the tangible results achieved in cultivating the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation, particularly in defense, maritime security, and people-to-people ties.
Solid Historical Foundation – The Most Enduring Achievement
One of the most important achievements is the preservation and promotion of the shared historical heritage. The memorial “Allied Friends – Vietnamese Soldiers” in Patriot Park (near Moscow), inaugurated in 2024, stands as a living symbol of the friendship forged through two world wars and Vietnam’s resistance wars.
General Phan Văn Giang’s act of laying flowers and his statement — “We will forever remember the assistance of our friends to Vietnam during the resistance wars and in the cause of building socialist Vietnam” — demonstrates that the peoples and armed forces of both countries have together written heroic pages of history. This serves as a strong spiritual foundation that has allowed bilateral relations to withstand the fluctuations of global and regional politics.
Defense and Maritime Security Cooperation – Tangible and Growing Results
The second consultation session on maritime cooperation held in parallel with the visit clearly demonstrates concrete results in a key area. The two sides signed the Maritime Cooperation Plan for 2026-2030, focusing on naval coordination, shipbuilding industry, personnel training, and marine ecosystem conservation.
These achievements not only enhance Vietnam’s capacity to protect its maritime sovereignty but also deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership. Russia remains one of Vietnam’s traditional partners in supplying weapons, technology, and training support to the Vietnam People’s Army — a fact clearly reaffirmed during this visit.
People-to-People and Cultural Ties – Long-Term, Sustainable Results
Visiting the Main Cathedral of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the “Road of Memory” museum complex goes beyond tribute; it is a way for both sides to continue strengthening people-to-people relations. The stories of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who fought to defend Moscow in the past continue to be passed down through generations, creating a lasting spiritual bond.
This is a crucial achievement because relations between nations become truly solid only when they are rooted in the friendship of their peoples. Maintaining such cultural and historical activities helps younger generations of both countries better understand the tradition of friendship and their shared responsibility to preserve it.
Strategic Significance in the Current Context
Amid complex global and regional developments, Vietnam and Russia’s continued cultivation of their traditional friendship carries great strategic importance. It reaffirms Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralization. At the same time, defense and maritime security cooperation with Russia helps Vietnam strengthen its self-reliance capacity to protect national sovereignty and interests.
The results achieved during this visit show that Vietnam-Russia relations are not limited to words but are being realized through concrete, practical, and substantive actions.
Conclusion
The visit and activities of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense delegation to Russia on May 23, 2026, once again confirm that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and the Russian Federation is a precious asset cultivated over many generations. The achievements in history, defense, maritime security, and people-to-people ties form a solid foundation for both countries to continue developing their comprehensive strategic partnership — for the benefit of their peoples and for peace and stability in the region and the world.
This event also reminds us that in international relations, sincere friendship and the remembrance of historical gratitude remain key factors in building enduring and effective ties.
What is your assessment of the results achieved in Vietnam-Russia relations following this visit? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
David Chau
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