Russia and Vietnam
A relationship inherited from the Soviet period continues in defense, oil, training and tourism. New energy agreements coexist with financial obstacles and diversified Vietnamese diplomacy.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07Historical continuity and institutional cooperation
Diplomatic relations were established in 1950, initially with the Soviet Union.
Military equipment and long-term energy projects
Defense is a partnership pillar, with training, exchanges and technological cooperation.
The September 2026 roadmap
The Vietnamese state visit to Russia from 7 to 9 September 2026 produced a declaration placing energy and specialized training among its priorities.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 4,770 M USD | 2025 · Source |
| Goods: Russia to Vietnam | ||
| Goods: Vietnam to Russia | ||
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Russia to Vietnam | ||
| Export share: Vietnam to Russia | ||
| Investment stock: Russia in Vietnam | ||
| Investment stock: Vietnam in Russia |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · Government of Vietnam / Ministry of Industry and Trade · Rounded total published according to Vietnamese customs. No verified directional breakdown: both export cells remain blank.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | Russia | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 2.59 trillion USDIMF est.2025 · IMF | 514.7 billion USD2025 · World Bank |
| GDP per capita | 17,972.12 USDIMF est.2025 · IMF | 5,065.99 USD2025 · World Bank |
| GDP growth | 1 %2025 · WB | 8.02 %2025 · World Bank |
| Policy interest rate | 14 %2026-09-11 · CBR | |
| Inflation · annual average | 8.72 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 3.31 %Annual average · 2025 · World Bank |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 6.33 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · CBR | |
| Unemployment | 2.13 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 1.52 %ILO est.2025 · World Bank |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -3.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -2.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 17.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 30.3 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 1.68 %2025 · WB | 6.33 %2024 · World Bank |
| Population | 143,997,000IMF est.2025 · IMF | 101,598,5272025 · World Bank |
| Area | 17,125,190 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 331,338 km²2023 · World Bank |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
For Russia, GDP, population and GDP per capita are estimates from the same IMF (WEO) dataset for 2025. The per-capita figure published by the IMF is used, rather than a calculation of our own. The earlier World Bank series could not be reconciled and are not mixed with this dataset. Review: 2026-10-07. IMF data terms of use0
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDRussia: 2025 · Nominal GDP in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Vietnam: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personRussia: 2025 · Nominal GDP per capita in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Vietnam: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Russia: 2025 · World BankVietnam: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Russia: 2026-09-11 · Bank of Russia policy rate · Bank of Russia
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Russia: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World BankVietnam: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedRussia: 2026-08 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Bank of Russia · Published: 2026-09-16 · Year-on-year CPI. The commentary's 6.9% is annualised seasonally adjusted monthly growth and is not used here.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionRussia: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Vietnam: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Russia: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Vietnam: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO general-government estimate. Retains the source’s fiscal year when it differs from the calendar year.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Russia: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Vietnam: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO general-government estimate. Retains the source’s fiscal year when it differs from the calendar year.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPRussia: 2025 · World BankVietnam: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleRussia: 2025 · Population from the WEO series; do not mix with a denominator from another source · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Vietnam: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceRussia: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAOVietnam: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Russia to Vietnam
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
Vietnam to Russia
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
Connections between people
Professional training and tourism travel are important connections. The 2025 arrivals figure available in this profile covers eleven months and is not extrapolated to the full year. [3] [4] [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Russia living in Vietnam | ||
| Residents from Vietnam living in Russia | ||
| Study and training: Russia in Vietnam | ||
| Study and training: Vietnam in Russia | ||
| Academic stays: Russia in Vietnam | ||
| Academic stays: Vietnam in Russia | ||
| Travel: Russia to VietnamArrivals from Russia; eleven months, rounded figure | ≈593.000arrivalsestimate | 2025-01–2025-11 · Vietnamese VGP |
| Travel: Vietnam to Russia |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Travel: Russia to Vietnam
- January–November 2025, not a full year or extrapolation to December. 2025-01–2025-11 · Vietnamese VGP
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
Historical continuity and institutional cooperation
Diplomatic relations were established in 1950, initially with the Soviet Union. The relationship became a strategic partnership in 2001 and a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012. The history left political contacts, professional training and technical cooperation that remain present. The 2024 and 2026 declarations include parliamentary, scientific and university exchanges. Vietnam presents the relationship as a lasting priority but also cooperates with other partners. Bilateral content includes different areas: maintaining military equipment, producing energy, facilitating trade and training specialists does not imply both governments share every foreign policy decision. [1] [2]
Military equipment and long-term energy projects
Defense is a partnership pillar, with training, exchanges and technological cooperation. In energy, work covers oil and gas in both countries and civilian nuclear projects. The September 2026 declaration records the signing, on March 23 of that year, of an intergovernmental agreement to build a nuclear power plant in Vietnam. Signing does not mean the plant is built or generating electricity. Financing, nuclear safety, specialized personnel and schedules are indispensable components. The agreements also envisage oil and gas supplies and infrastructure to receive them, matters whose development must be distinguished from sales already recorded. [2] [1]
Goods, tourism connections and education
Vietnam's agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union offers a trade access framework. Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade reported 4,770 million USD in goods trade with Russia in 2025. Economic cooperation includes industry, energy and logistics; official meetings seek to expand a volume the governments themselves consider below its potential. Tourism constitutes another visible connection: VGP published approximately 593,000 arrivals from Russia between January and November 2025. It is a partial period and an arrivals count, not a resident population or unique individuals. Educational exchanges continue through a distinct institutional channel. [3] [4] [1]
The scale of the two economies
Russia's reference nominal GDP is 2587.9 billion USD in 2025, compared with 514.7 in 2025 for Vietnam. The reference populations are 144 million (2025) and 101.6 million (2025), respectively. In the same year, Russia's nominal GDP was 5.03 times that of Vietnam. The figures contextualize market size; they do not in themselves describe well-being, individual wealth or political influence. IMF estimates or demographic extrapolations retain their markings in the table. A ratio is not calculated when the periods do not match. [5] [6] [7] [8]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
The September 2026 roadmap
The Vietnamese state visit to Russia from 7 to 9 September 2026 produced a declaration placing energy and specialized training among its priorities. It includes banking cooperation, elimination of trade barriers and combined transport between Vietnam, China and Russia. These areas are relevant to contract implementation because payments and routes form part of trade operations. The document also reiterates military cooperation and the international law framework. Its goals are presented as governmental commitments, not results already achieved: nuclear projects, new logistics facilities and investment expansions require separate follow-up. [2]
Published annual trade
The official source reports 4770 million USD in goods in 2025. Published rounded total according to Vietnamese customs. No verified directional breakdown: both export cells remain blank. [3]
Mobility and communities: documented figures
The published figure for Russia in Vietnam is ≈593,000 arrivals (2025-01–2025-11). Arrivals from Russia; eleven months, rounded figure. January–November 2025, not a full year or extrapolation to December. [4]
Milestones and consequences
- 1950
Diplomatic relations
Start of ties with the Soviet Union. [2]
- 2012
Comprehensive strategic partnership
Expansion of the institutional relationship. [2]
- 2024-06
Russian visit to Vietnam
Cooperation, energy and social ties are reviewed. [1]
- 2026-03-23
Civilian nuclear agreement
A framework for a construction project is signed, not an operational plant. [2]
- 2026-09
Vietnamese visit to Russia
New bilateral cooperation roadmap. [2]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Each figure retains its period, unit, definition and source. Announcements, contracts and results are not interchangeable. Empty cells do not mean zero. Customs data for 2025 are not presented as activity observed during later crises.
- Bilateral declaration of June 2024
Government of Vietnam / VGP · Institutional source · Document: 2024-06-25 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- September 2026 bilateral declaration
Government of Vietnam / VGP · Institutional source · Document: 2026-09-11 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Trade and investment projects with Russia
Government of Vietnam / Ministry of Industry and Trade · Institutional source · Document: 2026-03-20 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- International arrivals January–November 2025
Government of Vietnam / VGP · Institutional source · Document: 2025-12-09 · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
IMF — World Economic Outlook · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; country ISO and year preserved; no military data; exact requested country subset independently re-fetched and values compared
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
IMF — World Economic Outlook · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; country ISO and year preserved; no military data; exact requested country subset independently re-fetched and values compared
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07