Moscow (VNA) – Vietnam has undergone tremendous changes since its national reunification in 1975, rising to become a country with a remarkable international position and economic potential, said Russian international political analyst Grigory Trofimchuk.
Speaking at a programme on modern Vietnam after 50 years since its the liberation of the South and national reunification, and the main features of Russia - Vietnam relations, broadcast on platforms of Avrora Radio - a prestigious media channel with a large audience and listeners in Russia on April 29, Trofimchuk said that those results were made with the implementation of the "Doi moi" (Renewal) policy, the appropriate, timely and successful development of a socialist-oriented market economy as Vietnamese people are hardworking, skillful and creative.
During the Avrora's dialogue programme which took place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2025) and the 75th founding anniversary of Russia - Vietnam diplomatic relations, Trofimchuk, who is the author of the book "Vietnam Takes Off" which won the first prize at the 7th National External Information Service Awards in 2021, emphasised that Vietnam is increasingly affirming its position in regional and international organisations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the United Nations, through constructive and responsible contributions.
The clearest evidence is that Vietnam was elected twice as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the terms of 2008-2009 and 2020-2021.
In the bilateral relations, Vietnam is a loyal friend of the former Soviet Union and Russia today. Vietnam is not only a comprehensive strategic partner of Russia, but also one of the top three countries that Russia can always trust, he said.
With such a level of relationship, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam's attendance at the 80th anniversary of the victory over Fascism on the Red Square and his official visit to Russia in May hold an extremely important political significance for the bilateral relations, the expert said.
According to the expert, thanks to the "Doi moi" policy and the dynamic international integration policy, the Vietnamese economy has completely changed from that of 50 years ago. After the country's reunification, Vietnam's population has grown strongly, turning the country into a huge market with more than 100 million people, attracting the attention of any investor in the world. Thanks to its internal potential, safe and transparent investment environment, Vietnam is currently one of the most dynamically developing economies in Southeast Asia with gross domestic product (GDP) expected to reach over 500 billion USD in 2025.
He held that the decision to restart the nuclear power plant project in Vietnam is completely correct and supported by the people. This will bring the Vietnamese economy to a new level. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and many other international organisations predict that Vietnam will be among the 30 economies with the fastest trade growth in the world by 2030.
However, Trofimchuk also noted that the trade turnover between Russia and Vietnam is still modest, with just only about 5 billion USD, although Vietnam has signed a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) led by Russia.
He recommended that Vietnam and the EAEU should move towards completely eliminating tariff barriers to create new momentum for economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and the EAEU in general, and with Russia in particular./.
