A delegation from the Russian State Duma paid a working visit to the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on December 25 to explore cooperation opportunities.

The delegation was led by First Vice President of the State Duma and Vice President of the Communist Party of Russian Federation Ivan Ivanovich Melnikov.

During their working session with Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council Nguyen Hong Linh, the guests were told that the Vietnamese province is actively penetrating the Russian market with its major export products such as seafood, cashew, garments and textiles.

It has signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding on cooperation with Russian localities, including Rostov-on-Don, Sverdlovsk and Nenetskiy, Linh added.

The host highlighted the bilateral cooperation in oil and gas, tourism, maritime transport and construction, with the Russia-Vietnam oil and gas joint venture (Vietsovpetro) as a bright spot.

The province has always created favourable conditions for Russian nationals to live and work in the locality, Linh further said.

A number of cultural exchanges are held regularly in order to deepen the relationship between the two peoples, he added.-VNA