President To Lam and President Vladimir Putin review the Honour Guard, Hanoi, June 20, 2024. (Photo: VNA)

Russia’s TASS news agency said the state visit, the highest level under diplomatic protocol, demonstrates the sound relationship between Vietnam and Russia.

Fontanka.ru said Putin was grateful for the warm welcome of the Vietnamese people.

The Russian News and Information Agency RIA Novosti quoted President Putin as saying, “I want to express my gratitude to all of my Vietnamese friends for arranging the state visit for us. Thank you for your hospitality and warm welcome. I mean, it is not just the temperature outside, but also the people who are full of joy to welcome us.”

Ura.ru said that, during his meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Mr. Putin said Russia stands ready to establish a long-term direct oil and gas supply, including liquefied natural gas, for Vietnam.

President Putin acknowledged a successful energy collaboration between the two countries, recalling Russia’s participation in Vietnam’s power production facilities.

Japan’s Kyodo News said this trip, the first state visit to Vietnam by Mr. Putin since November 2013, aims to consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries.

According to Kyodo News, Russia attaches importance to promoting dialogues with ASEAN, of which Vietnam is an active member.

The website euronews.com said Putin’s Vietnam visit is meant to bolster Russia’s relations with Southeast Asian nations, and that the two countries have had diplomatic relations since 1950, with this year marking 30 years of their Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations (June 16, 1994 - 2024).

The UK’s Financial Times on Thursday mentioned Vietnam’s achievements in its bamboo diplomacy and cited Le Hong Hiep, a researcher at Singapore’s Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute, as saying that hosting President Putin shows the balance and diversity of Vietnam’s foreign policy, which plays an important role in helping it attract foreign investment.