So, what do you get when you mix vodka with pho? A geopolitical cocktail that’s sure to cause a stir! And potentially a bad mix! At least the Vietnamese seem to like unconventional mixes! Welcome to the latest episode of “Vietnam’s Got Deals.”! And trust me, it’s juicier than a ripe mango. Russian President Vladimir Putin just popped over to Vietnam for a visit, and it’s causing quite the international stir, especially in the United States. So, what’s Vietnam hoping to gain from this visit, and why is the US so concerned?

The Arrival

On a seemingly ordinary Thursday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin landed at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport for a state visit to Vietnam. However, this visit was far from ordinary. This isn’t Putin’s first rodeo in Vietnam—it’s actually his fifth trip, the previous ones being in 2001, 2006, 2013, and for the APEC Summit in Da Nang in 2017. He’s practically a regular, striding in like he owns the place!

Putin’s schedule was tighter than a jar of pickles. He met with key Vietnamese officials, including President To Lam and Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong. The meetings were fruitful, resulting in about a dozen agreements. And these aren’t just any agreements—they are about Russian natural gas, fossil fuel exports, oil and gas exploration, green technology, science, and education. This is how Russia is doing business in Vietnam?

A Focus on International Issues

Check out the latest news about Putin visits Vietnam with our Attorney Ken Duong as he will share the detail of the agreements between Vietnam and Russia: