Energy, Oil and Gas Remain Key Pillars of Vietnam – Russia Strategic Relations

On the evening of September 9 (local time), General Secretary and State President To Lam, his spouse, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation departed Moscow, successfully concluding their State visit to the Russian Federation (September 7–9, 2026). The delegation subsequently proceeded to pay an official visit to the French Republic and attend the Aerospace Summit in Paris from September 9 to 12, 2026.

During the visit, General Secretary and State President To Lam held official talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin; met with Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Chairwoman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, and Chairman of the United Russia Party and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev; received Chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Gennady Zyuganov, representatives of the Russian Veterans Association and the Russia–Vietnam Friendship Association; attended the Vietnam–Russia Science and Technology Forum; received the Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize; and met with prominent business leaders. On this occasion, General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse also met with staff members of the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnamese community in Russia, laid flowers at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and attended the launching ceremony of the Vietnam–Russia Cultural Connection and Heritage Space.

The talks and meetings took place in an atmosphere of traditional friendship, sincerity, and mutual trust inherent to bilateral ties. Leaders of Vietnam and Russia engaged in extensive discussions on the current state and prospects of Vietnam–Russia relations, agreeing on comprehensive measures to continuously advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

General Secretary and State President To Lam spoke highly of the Russian Federation's accomplishments in economic development, social welfare assurance, and the elevation of its international standing.

The President of the Russian Federation acknowledged Vietnam's impressive socio-economic development achievements and its active role in addressing regional and global issues. President Putin expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam headed by General Secretary and State President To Lam, Vietnam will successfully realize the strategic national development goals adopted by the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

On this occasion, both sides issued a Joint Statement on further strengthening the Vietnam–Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new era. They agreed to enhance regular and substantive exchanges across all levels, particularly at the highest level; promote cooperation through Party and parliamentary channels; and implement robust measures enabling economic cooperation to play a pioneering role in deepening bilateral relations. Priority will be given to enhancing the role of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Commercial, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation, striving to elevate bilateral trade turnover to USD 15 billion at an early date.

Both sides affirmed that energy, oil, and gas continue to be crucial pillars of the Vietnam–Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while expanding into new energy sectors such as nuclear power, wind power, and gas-to-power. They agreed that in the new era of development, science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation must become new growth drivers of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Priorities also include upgrading and diversifying transport corridors to safeguard supply chains, fostering sustainable socio-economic development, and expanding joint research, application, and technology transfer in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, biotechnology, advanced materials, quantum technology, aerospace, and industrial automation.

The two sides underscored their commitment to coordinating responses to non-traditional security challenges; combating transnational crime and high-tech crime; managing emergency situations; expanding cooperation in education, training, healthcare, culture, tourism, labor, and people-to-people exchanges; and enhancing coordination at the United Nations and multilateral forums.

A prominent highlight of the visit was the Document Exchange Ceremony between the two nations, witnessed by General Secretary and State President To Lam and President Vladimir Putin. Among the exchanged agreements, numerous pacts directly pertain to PETROVIETNAM and its member units, covering areas from core oil and gas operations to strategic energy reserves and cutting-edge technologies.

First was the Investment Registration Certificate awarded between PETROVIETNAM and the Contractor Consortium comprising Zarubezhneft Asia, Vietsovpetro, and PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP). This document solidifies the legal and operational framework for the partners to execute investment activities and maximize each party's expertise and capacity in petroleum exploration, appraisal, and production (E&P).

Another notable document was the Framework Agreement between PETROVIETNAM and Zarubezhneft on cooperation in studying investment options for the development of a strategic crude oil reserve system in Vietnam. Amid recurring global energy market volatility and heightened risks of supply chain disruption, building crude oil stockpiling capacity represents a pivotal strategic initiative to strengthen Vietnam's national energy autonomy and economic resilience.

Significantly, in the domain of science and technology, PETROVIETNAM and RosatomAT exchanged a Project Development Agreement for the establishment of an Additive Manufacturing Technology Center and the transfer of 3D printing ink/powder manufacturing technology. This initiative marks a breakthrough in technological cooperation between the two sides. Additive manufacturing (commonly known as 3D printing) will be applied directly to manufacturing, maintenance, and repair needs across the fuel and energy industry.

Under the agreement, the center is designed to support the rapid production of complex structural components for drilling and pumping equipment, reduce operational downtime through rapid prototyping, and apply additive manufacturing to the reconditioning, repair, and fabrication of large-scale industrial components.

Concurrently, the Investment Cooperation Agreement between PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP) and Zarubezhneft Asia unlocks further room for the two corporations to explore and execute new investment opportunities. This represents a tangible step in realizing the strategy to broaden operational areas, enhance the efficiency of existing ventures, and seek high-potential oil and gas projects in Vietnam, the Russian Federation, and third countries.

In this new development phase, the partnership between PETROVIETNAM and its Russian counterparts is being revitalized in both substantive content and implementation methodologies.

The bilateral agreements exchanged during the State visit of General Secretary and State President To Lam serve as crucial concrete milestones in executing the strategic directions set by the leaders of both nations. Through these milestones, energy, oil, and gas continue to solidify their role as enduring pillars while unlocking expansive cooperation horizons, contributing to an increasingly profound, substantive, and effective Vietnam–Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.