General Secretary To Lam backs stronger Vietnam–Russia business ties

On May 11, General Secretary To Lam met with executives from several major Russian companies, highlighting Vietnam’s commitment to fostering collaboration in key sectors such as energy, technology, and maritime cooperation.

General Secretary To Lam received Mr. Sergei Kudryashov, General Director of Russia's Zarubezhneft Oil and Gas Joint Stock Company. (Photo: Thong Nhat/ VNA)

Energy cooperation as a cornerstone

Meeting with Sergei Kudryashov, CEO of oil and gas giant Zarubezhneft, General Secretary To Lam underscored that energy cooperation—especially in oil and gas—remains a critical pillar of Vietnam–Russia relations. He praised the partnership as a "vivid symbol of the fusion between Russian technological expertise and Vietnam’s development aspirations."

Kudryashov highlighted the 40-year track record of Zarubezhneft as a strategic partner of Vietnam, noting its successful joint ventures with the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) both in Vietnam’s continental shelf and in Russia. He also outlined plans to expand natural gas and LNG supply chains into Vietnam and Southeast Asia, while exploring offshore wind and green hydrogen development.

Kudryashov expressed hope for continued government support, saying Zarubezhneft aims to build a long-term, sustainable presence in Vietnam, benefiting both countries.

The General Secretary welcomed the progress and encouraged both sides to expand cooperation in accordance with their legal frameworks and strategic partnership goals.

High-tech investment opportunities

In a separate meeting, General Secretary To Lam received Vladimir Yevtushenkov, founder of AFK Sistema, one of Russia’s largest private conglomerates. Praising the company’s accomplishments in high-tech sectors including telecommunications, healthcare, and agriculture, To Lam emphasized Vietnam’s desire to deepen economic and scientific cooperation with leading Russian investors.

Founded in 1993, AFK Sistema operates across diverse industries such as IT, semiconductors, e-commerce, construction, and tourism. Yevtushenkov described Vietnam as a top-priority market for expansion and expressed AFK Sistema’s readiness to invest in long-term projects across the country.

The General Secretary responded positively, stating that Vietnam is committed to providing favorable conditions for foreign investors, including Russian companies. He called on Vietnamese ministries and agencies to coordinate closely with Sistema to facilitate their project pipeline, particularly in semiconductors, high-tech healthcare, and digital transformation.

Increased copporations in cybersecurity and innovations

In another engagement, To Lam met with Yuri Maksimov, co-founder of cybersecurity firm Positive Technologies. The General Secretary welcomed the company’s interest in investing in Vietnam and acknowledged cybersecurity as a growing area of mutual concern and opportunity.

Maksimov emphasized that cybersecurity is a global issue requiring constant innovation. He shared highlights of Positive Technologies' work with Vietnamese firms and expressed interest in joining science and technology projects in the country.

The General Secretary applauded the company’s approach and confirmed that Vietnam would facilitate contacts and support for Positive Technologies to identify local partners and opportunities.

Maritime security and strategic dialogue

Later, General Secretary To Lam met with Nikolai Patrushev, Chairman of Russia’s Maritime Council and former Secretary of the Security Council. The party leader congratulated Russia on the successful Victory Day commemoration and reaffirmed the importance of high-level dialogue between the two nations, referencing his earlier meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

Patrushev welcomed the ongoing cooperation and recalled Russia’s historic contributions to Vietnam’s wartime victory. He outlined several areas for future collaboration, especially maritime security, naval exercises, shipbuilding, and humanitarian rescue operations.

Additionally, the Chairman of Russia’s Maritime Council invited Vietnam to work more closely with the Maritime Council to ensure safe navigation in the Pacific and uphold international maritime law.

General Secretary To Lam expressed appreciation for Patrushev’s longstanding support for Vietnam and agreed in principle with the proposals. He called for further discussions and formal agreements on comprehensive maritime cooperation, including logistics, science, shipbuilding, and responses to non-traditional security threats.