Why Is Putin in Vietnam?

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia concluded a state visit to North Korea and headed to Vietnam on Thursday to strengthen partnerships in the region amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Putin’s engagement in Ukraine has led to his isolation from the West, prompting him to seek support from North Korea and its leader, Kim Jong-un. The two leaders share a common adversary in the United States and recently renewed a mutual defense agreement reminiscent of the Cold War era.

In contrast, Putin’s visit to Vietnam involves meetings with officials who have been strengthening ties with Washington. However, Russia remains Vietnam’s primary source of military equipment, a position Putin is eager to maintain.

This marks Putin’s fifth visit to Vietnam, following visits by President Biden and President Xi Jinping of China last year, both seeking assurances from Hanoi regarding their respective relationships.

For Vietnam, Putin’s visit represents an opportunity to solidify its relationship with Russia, its key defense partner. Despite improving ties with the United States, Vietnam sought clandestine methods last year to acquire Russian military equipment in violation of American sanctions.

During Putin’s visit, Vietnamese schoolchildren waved both Russian and Vietnamese flags along the streets of Hanoi as his motorcade passed by. He was warmly received by Vietnam’s new president, To Lam, and later honored with a 21-gun salute at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.

While Washington criticized Vietnam for hosting Putin, citing concerns about his aggressive actions, Lam affirmed that Russia remains a top priority partner in Vietnam’s foreign policy.

Russia and Vietnam have a longstanding military relationship dating back to the Soviet era, with Moscow providing significant military aid to Vietnam during past conflicts. Russian equipment constitutes a significant portion of Vietnam’s defense arsenal, including coastal defense systems, submarines, and fighter jets.

Despite its reliance on Russian weaponry, Vietnam has explored alternative sources due to Western sanctions on Russia and concerns about Moscow’s reliability. Vietnam has turned to countries like South Korea, Japan, and the Czech Republic for weapons and is seeking to boost its domestic defense industry.

Additionally, Russia has a substantial presence in Vietnam’s oil and gas sector through joint ventures, generating substantial profits for both countries. However, these projects have strained relations with China due to territorial disputes in the region.

Overall, Putin’s visit underscores the deep-rooted ties between Russia and Vietnam, particularly in the military and energy sectors. Despite challenges and geopolitical complexities, both nations continue to prioritize their partnership for mutual benefit.