Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, marking the second stop of his East Asian tour.
This visit, following a high-profile trip to North Korea, is seen as a strategic move to underscore the diplomatic support Russia still retains in the region.
The United States has criticised Putin’s visit, accusing it of providing a platform for him to promote his aggressive war in Ukraine. Despite these criticisms, Vietnam values its historic ties with Russia while simultaneously working to enhance its relationships with Europe and the US.
A symbol of these enduring ties is the five-meter-high statue of Lenin in Ba Dinh, Hanoi’s political quarter, which was a gift from the Soviet Union. Every year on Lenin’s birthday, senior Vietnamese officials lay flowers at the statue, highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two nations.
Vietnam’s connection with Russia dates back to the 1950s, when the Soviet Union offered crucial military, economic, and diplomatic support to North Vietnam.
This relationship grew stronger after Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia in 1978, which led to isolation and sanctions from China and the West, making Soviet assistance vital. Many older Vietnamese, including the influential Communist Party Secretary-General Nguyen Phu Trong, have studied in Russia and are fluent in the language.
Currently, Vietnam’s economy is heavily integrated into global markets, with China, Asia, the US, and Europe surpassing Russia as trading partners. Nonetheless, Vietnam continues to rely on Russian-made military equipment and partnerships with Russian oil companies for exploration in the South China Sea.
The Ukraine conflict has posed a diplomatic challenge for Vietnam, which has abstained from UN resolutions condemning Russia while maintaining good relations with Ukraine and even sending aid to Kyiv. This delicate balance reflects Vietnam’s foreign policy of ‘bamboo diplomacy,’ which seeks to befriend all nations without formal alliances.
Vietnam has also strengthened ties with the US, a former adversary, to access lucrative markets and counterbalance its relationship with China.
The US objects to Putin’s visit to Vietnam, arguing it undermines international efforts to isolate him. However, given the special historical ties with Russia, the US reaction is unsurprising.
Public sentiment in Vietnam regarding the Ukraine war is more ambivalent compared to Europe. There is admiration for Putin as a strongman defying the West and skepticism towards US and European claims of upholding international law. This perspective is shared by other Asian countries like Thailand, where public opinion is similarly divided.
Despite Vietnam seeking alternative sources for military equipment, its dependence on Russia will persist for years. Recent high-level resignations within the Communist Party hint at internal rivalries over the nation’s future direction.
However, Vietnam remains committed to its principle of being friends to all and enemies to none, maintaining its unique diplomatic stance amidst global tensions.
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