Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) welcomes Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Valentina Matviyenko at the Government Office in Ha Noi, November 12, 2026. Photo: VGP

Prime Minister suggests Viet Nam, EAEU member countries renew FTA

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung suggested Viet Nam and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member States soon initiate negotiations to amend the Viet Nam-EAEU Free Trade Agreement in line with changing trade conditions.

Le made the above suggestion during his meeting with Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Valentina Matviyenko in Ha Noi on November 12.

He also called on both countries to further leverage the existing cooperation mechanisms, facilitate trade and investment cooperation, and support their businesses in accessing markets, finding partners, and expanding operations.

Le emphasized the need to maintain effective energy-oil and gas cooperation while promoting collaboration in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes in association with technology transfer and human resource training.

The Prime Minister called on both sides to strengthen cooperation in science and technology, innovation, education and training; enhance linkages between their universities, research institutes and businesses, cited VGP.

Valentina Matviyenko, who is on an official visit to Viet Nam, affirmed that the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia supports stronger ties with Viet Nam, and stands ready to promote the implementation of agreements signed between the two Governments.

Both sides agreed to further foster coordination in realizing bilateral agreements and creating favorable conditions for their businesses.

The two sides concurred that cooperation in education, science and culture, as well as exchanges among younger generations, plays an important role in reinforcing the long-term foundations of Viet Nam-Russia relations.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating and proactively organizing people-to-people exchange activities, including the 2nd Viet Nam-Russia People's Diplomacy Forum recently held in St. Petersburg, and cultural promotion events such as the Viet Nam Cultural Festival 2025.

Russia-Viet Nam relations to reach new milestones: Russian Federation Council Chairwoman

Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russian Valentina Matviyenko delivered a speech at a plenary session of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) in Hanoi on November 13 as part of her official visit to Viet Nam.

Opening her address, Matviyenko highlighted the historical bonds between the two countries, whose people are united by shared traditions and a time-tested sense of comradeship.

She affirmed that President Ho Chi Minh laid the foundations for this longstanding friendship, noting a monument to the late leader was inaugurated in 2023 in Saint Petersburg, her hometown. Reviewing bilateral relations, Matviyenko noted that 25 years ago, in 2001, President Vladimir Putin made his first official visit to Viet Nam, during which the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership was signed.

In 2012, the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two countries have consistently maintained regular political dialogue at high and highest levels. The highlight of this year was the state visit to Russia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam in September 2026, during which a number of important cooperation documents were signed in the fields of energy, education, and science.

On parliamentary cooperation, Matviyenko recalled that the first visit by Vietnamese NA deputies to the Soviet Union took place 70 years ago. Today, inter-parliamentary relations are expanding actively and becoming increasingly substantive. Following her meeting with NA President Tran Thanh Man in Moscow in 2024, a new cooperation agreement between the Federation Council and Viet Nam's National Assembly was signed, cited VNA.

Russia recognizes the significance of Viet Nam becoming a BRICS partner country in 2025 and highly values its contributions within ASEAN, including to the development of Russia-ASEAN dialogue, according to VNA.

Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russian Valentina Matviyenko delivers a speech at a plenary session of the Vietnamese National Assembly in Hanoi on November 13 (Photo: VNA)

In terms of economic and trade cooperation, the Russian Federation Council Chairwoman expressed her expectations for growth over the full year of 2026. A key driver of this growth is the Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Viet Nam, the first agreement signed between the union and a country outside the bloc, which took effect in 2016.

Regarding investment, Matviyenko said joint ventures in oil and gas, agro-industry and various other sectors are operating effectively. Examples include the production of dairy products in Kaluga Region with the participation of Vietnamese businesses, and oil extraction by the Rusvietpetro joint venture in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

In the energy sector, she highlighted an agreement signed by the heads of government of the two countries in March this year on the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant based on Russian design. The Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center under construction in Viet Nam is also an important joint project in the peaceful use of atomic energy.

On education, culture, tourism and local cooperation, the Russian leader said tens of thousands of Vietnamese people have received training at Russian educational institutions, with many now holding senior positions in Viet Nam. More than 3,000 Vietnamese students and postgraduate researchers are currently studying in Russia, while over 500 agreements between scientific and educational institutions in the two countries remain in force.

In the fields of sanitary, epidemiological and biological safety, the leaders of the two countries have inaugurated a laboratory in Hanoi for research into and prevention of infectious diseases. In the cultural sphere, Viet Nam is set to host a major cultural project entitled “Russian Seasons” next year.

In tourism, Viet Nam welcomed nearly 700,000 Russian visitors in 2025, and the figure already exceeded 800,000 in the first six months of 2026. Matviyenko said the development of direct air routes and the simplification of visa procedures remain important drivers.

She noted that the Russian President signed a decree granting Vietnamese citizens visa-free entry to Russia for one year, until October 15, 2027, with a maximum stay of 30 days. She described this as a good opportunity to promote cultural exchanges and strengthen friendship between the people of the two countries.

She stressed that a solid foundation for Russia-Viet Nam cooperation lay in active exchanges among their localities, including cooperation councils between Moscow and Hanoi, and between Saint Petersburg and Ho Chi Minh City.

Concluding her address, Matviyenko expressed her belief that Russia-Viet Nam friendship will grow ever stronger and bring prosperity to the people of both countries. Quoting the Vietnamese proverb “A journey of a thousand miles broadens one's knowledge”, she said she is confident that the two countries will continue on the right path and achieve new milestones together.

Viet Nam to push for a more united and resilient ASEAN at Manila summit

Viet Nam is set to promote regional solidarity, resilience and more practical cooperation to address shared challenges and advance the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 when Prime Minister Le Minh Hung will attend the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Manila, the Philippines, from November 14 to 17.

Viet Nam will use the upcoming meetings to reaffirm ASEAN as a top strategic priority in its foreign policy and strengthen its proactive and responsible contribution to regional cooperation, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang said in an interview ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit.

The meetings will take place amid rapid and complex global and regional changes, with strategic competition, economic uncertainties and cross-border challenges placing growing demands on ASEAN’s capacity to respond and sustain long-term development.

They will also provide an opportunity for regional leaders to review the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship, assess the first year of implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and set cooperation priorities for the period ahead.

Giang noted that ASEAN has continued to advance regional integration, develop new economic cooperation frameworks and strengthen relations with external partners. However, he stressed the need to improve coordination and address bottlenecks in implementing existing commitments so that cooperation could deliver tangible benefits.

Building on the outcomes of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, where leaders agreed on measures to strengthen collective responses in areas including energy security, food security, supply chain stability and support for ASEAN citizens, the Manila meetings are expected to give fresh impetus to turning decisions into action and commitments into results.

Strengthening unity and regional resilience

Viet Nam will work with other ASEAN members to maintain peace, security and stability, which Deputy Foreign Minister Giang described as the strategic foundation for building a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centered ASEAN Community by 2045.

The country will continue to promote consensus, narrow differences and uphold ASEAN’s fundamental principles and international law. It will also support dialogue and ASEAN-led mechanisms to reinforce the bloc’s unity and centrality in the evolving regional architecture.

These efforts are particularly important as ASEAN seeks to enhance its strategic autonomy and collective capacity to prevent and respond to emerging challenges, while maintaining an environment conducive to sustainable development.

Viet Nam will also encourage closer coordination in addressing traditional and non-traditional security issues, including energy and food security and human security, alongside strengthening regional connectivity and cooperation in areas with new growth potential, reported VOV.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang.

Beyond internal cohesion, the Manila meetings will provide an opportunity to deepen ASEAN’s relations with external partners on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Viet Nam will support efforts to mobilize external resources for the bloc’s development priorities and promote ASEAN’s common voice in advancing dialogue, cooperation and respect for international law.

Turning commitments into practical cooperation

A key priority for Viet Nam will be to make regional integration more effective and strengthen ASEAN’s competitiveness and resilience through practical cooperation.

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, Viet Nam will focus on improving connectivity in trade, infrastructure and supply chains, removing barriers within the bloc, and promoting science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and the green transition.

The country will also encourage closer regional coordination on energy security, food security and human security, reinforcing the foundations for sustainable development and ensuring that people and businesses benefit more directly from ASEAN cooperation.

Viet Nam will further seek to deepen partnerships with external countries and organizations, making more effective use of available resources to support the bloc’s development priorities.

As part of these efforts, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung is expected to co-chair the Mekong-Japan Summit with the Japanese Prime Minister. The meeting is expected to advance connectivity, sustainable development and efforts to narrow development gaps, contributing to broader ASEAN Community building.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries and international organizations on the sidelines of the summits. These engagements will aim to strengthen political trust, advance existing agreements, address obstacles to cooperation and open up new opportunities for bilateral ties.

Viet Nam’s parliamentary diplomacy will complement these efforts. National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man and a high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly will participate in the 47th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and related activities.

The participation of both the Government and the National Assembly is to strengthen coordination between State diplomacy and parliamentary diplomacy, linking regional cooperation priorities with legislative work, oversight and the implementation of commitments at the national level.

Through its participation in the Manila meetings, Viet Nam aims to reaffirm its commitment to taking the initiative in proposing ideas, honoring its commitments and pursuing practical action towards a united, resilient and people-centered ASEAN.

Viet Nam’s development inspires Francophone community: OIF Representative

Viet Nam’s development achievements and growing international role have made the country an inspiring partner for the Francophone community, according to Rigobert Pinga-Pinga, Acting Representative of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) for Asia-Pacific.

In an interview with the Viet Nam News Agency ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from November 14-16, which General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam will attend, Pinga-Pinga highlighted the significance of Viet Nam’s participation, prospects for OIF-Viet Nam cooperation and the country’s role in strengthening ties between Francophone members in Asia-Pacific.

The IOF official recalled that the Francophonie Summit in Hanoi in 1997 marked a turning point for the organization, with leaders establishing the position of OIF Secretary-General and placing economic cooperation at the centre of its agenda. Nearly three decades later, the Francophonie Summit is returning to Asia, with Phnom Penh hosting the summit under the theme “Reinvesting in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability”.

He observed that peace and development remain common threads linking the two summits. Viet Nam’s experience has demonstrated the importance of peace as a foundation for economic growth and can offer valuable lessons to other members.

He also described the decision by General Secretary and President Lam to lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation to the summit as an important signal, and conveyed the OIF leadership’s appreciation for Viet Nam’s continued support.

The biennial summit brings together leaders of 90 member states and governments to discuss shared priorities and elect the organization’s Secretary-General for the coming term. This year’s meeting also places greater emphasis on young people, with youth representatives expected to present proposals developed at a recent conference in Lomé, Togo, cited VNA.

For Asia-Pacific, the summit is expected to create fresh momentum for French-language learning in Southeast Asia, encourage new partnerships and promote the sharing of regional experience in economic development, vocational training and sustainable tourism.

Regarding bilateral cooperation, Pinga-Pinga described Viet Nam as a central partner of the Francophone community in Asia. The OIF has maintained a strong presence in the country for nearly 30 years through its regional representative office in Hanoi and the Asia-Pacific Regional Center for Francophone Studies (CREFAP) in Ho Chi Minh City, which provides French-language teacher training across the region.

The organization currently has 10 volunteer teachers working at five universities and five high-quality high schools nationwide. More than 2,000 French-language teachers have received training, while over 21,000 students have benefited from extracurricular activities in French.

Youth and women remain key priorities in OIF programs in Viet Nam. Since 2020, the “Francophonie with Women” Fund has provided nearly 490,000 EUR (540,000 USD) for eight women-led projects. Economic cooperation has also expanded, with the first Francophone economic mission visiting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 2022, followed by a reciprocal mission in 2025. The OIF has additionally supported two Vietnamese enterprises in joining an economic mission to Djibouti.

Sustainable tourism is another important area. Since 2024, the OIF has implemented 18 projects worth more than 900,000 EUR, benefiting young people, women and local communities, VNA reported.

Acting Representative of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) for Asia-Pacific Rigobert Pinga-Pinga (Photo: VNA)

Pinga-Pinga said the “Destination Éco-Talents” initiative is particularly meaningful, as it seeks to turn tourism into a source of employment for young people and women while safeguarding local cultures and the environment. Implemented in four pilot countries, including Viet Nam and Cambodia, the project has helped raise awareness and provide training in sustainable tourism for more than 2,000 young people in Viet Nam, 60% of them women. Nearly 680 participants have found jobs, while 11 tourism routes have been developed in provinces and cities including Dien Bien, Hue and Quang Ngai, benefiting around 1,900 people.

He said the initiative will focus further on improving vocational training, developing new destinations in remote areas and strengthening links between training institutions, businesses, local authorities and travel companies.

Pinga-Pinga also highlighted Viet Nam’s potential to connect the Francophone community with ASEAN and Africa. Viet Nam’s economic growth ambitions, strategic position in ASEAN and expanding business presence in African countries are valuable assets. He cited trade exchanges, including Vietnamese rice exports to Côte d’Ivoire and cashew imports from the West African country, as examples of how the French language could facilitate economic links.

The Francophone community currently has 397 million French speakers, around two-thirds of whom live in Africa. This network, he noted, could help Vietnamese businesses access new markets. Cooperation in training United Nations peacekeeping forces is another promising area.

Looking ahead, he identified digital transformation, artificial intelligence, economic cooperation and skills development as areas offering considerable potential. The Francophone economic space accounts for around 16% of global GDP and nearly one-fifth of world trade, providing opportunities to strengthen Viet Nam’s profile and participation.

He added that Viet Nam’s priorities in technology, innovation and human-resources development are closely aligned with the OIF’s objectives. By working together, the two sides could generate greater benefits for Viet Nam and the Francophone community.

Viet Nam-China trade set to surpass US$350 billion in 2026

Bilateral trade between Viet Nam and China reached nearly US$290 billion in the first 10 months of 2026, up 39.3% year on year, and is projected to surpass US$350 billion for the full year.

Preliminary data from Viet Nam Customs show Viet Nam’s exports to China totaled US$77.52 billion, up 36.2% year on year, while its imports surged 40.5% to US$212.46 billion, resulting a trade deficit of US$134.94 billion, up 43.2% from a year earlier. The 10-month trade deficit has already far exceeded the US$116 billion recorded for the whole of last year.

China thus remains Viet Nam’s largest trading partner, ranking as its second-largest export market and biggest source of imports.

Viet Nam’s exports to China increased by approximately US$20.6 billion in absolute value compared with the same period last year, cited VOV.

Notably, computers, electronic products and components generated US$28.97 billion in export revenue, more than doubling year on year with growth of 107.2%. Phones and components ranked second at US$13.34 billion, up 10.3%, followed by machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts at US$5.75 billion, an increase of 24.9%.

Agricultural exports also posted solid gains. Fruit and vegetable exports amounted to US$5.42 billion, up 19.8%, accounting for 65.4% of Viet Nam’s total fruit and vegetable export value. Seafood exports rose 30.6% to US$2.46 billion, while rice exports surged 78.9% to US$571.5 million.

Viet Nam-China trade hits nearly US$290 billion in the first 10 months of 2026, marking a 39.3% year-on-year increase. (Illustrative image)

On the import side, Chinese goods featured prominently across most of Viet Nam’s major import categories.

Computers, electronic products and components topped the list, with imports soaring 88.6% to US$81.25 billion. This category alone contributed more than US$38 billion, equivalent to 62.3% of the overall increase in imports from China.

Machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts ranked second, with imports totalling US$38.78 billion, up 23.4%. Together, these two categories accounted for 56.5% of Viet Nam’s total imports from China.

With two months remaining in the year, maintaining the trade volume recorded in October, at US$36.8 billion, could bring bilateral trade to between US$350 - 360 billion for the whole of 2026.

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