Vietnam’s Strategic Five-Point Plan Opens New ASEAN-Russia Opportunities in Trade, Tourism and Connectivity

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Boby Dey

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September 3, 2026 8:29 AM |

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Vietnam’s five-point plan for ASEAN-Russia cooperation is likely to boost trade, tourism, technology, and connectivity.

Vietnam has come up with a five-point action plan to strengthen trade, tourism, and technology, as well as logistics and investment ties with Russia. The plan was presented at the Russia-ASEAN Business Dialogue in Vladivostok on the sidelines of the Eleventh Eastern Economic Forum, which identified new areas for economic cooperation between the two regions.

The proposal focuses on transforming existing cooperation frameworks into practical projects that can strengthen supply chains, improve connectivity, increase investment flows, encourage innovation, and support tourism development.

The dialogue brought together government officials, business representatives, and economic stakeholders from Russia and ASEAN countries. Discussions highlighted Vladivostok’s importance as a gateway connecting Russia’s Far East with the Asia-Pacific region, including Southeast Asia.

The year 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations, creating fresh momentum for expanding cooperation. The ASEAN-Russia Comprehensive Plan of Action for 2026-2030, adopted during the ASEAN-Russia Summit in Kazan, provides a foundation for deeper collaboration across strategic sectors.

Rising ASEAN-Russia Trade Creates New Growth Opportunities

Economic relations between Russia and ASEAN have expanded steadily over the past decade, with bilateral trade increasing by nearly 58 per cent to reach approximately US$21 billion in 2025.

Despite this growth, significant opportunities remain to expand trade volumes, strengthen investment cooperation, and create more business partnerships between the two regions.

The current focus is shifting towards developing concrete projects that can generate measurable results, including stronger industrial cooperation, improved transport networks, digital transformation initiatives, tourism partnerships, and sustainable development programmes.

Vietnam is entering a new stage of economic growth, targeting annual expansion of at least 10 per cent between 2026 and 2030 while aiming to become a developed, high-income economy by 2045.

The country is prioritising science and technology, artificial intelligence, innovation, digital transformation, skilled workforce development, and private-sector growth. Vietnam is also investing heavily in strategic infrastructure and improving its investment environment to attract international businesses.

With an economy valued at around US$514 billion and total goods trade exceeding US$930 billion in 2025, Vietnam continues to strengthen its position within regional and global supply chains.

Vietnam Strengthens Role as ASEAN-Russia Economic Bridge

Vietnam has become a key connection point in ASEAN-Russia economic relations. Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Russia reached around US$4.77 billion in 2025, accounting for approximately one-quarter of Russia’s total trade with ASEAN.

Vietnam was also the first ASEAN country to sign a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, strengthening its role as a gateway for Russian businesses seeking access to Southeast Asian markets.

Through its wide network of free trade agreements, Vietnam can support Russian companies entering ASEAN economies while also helping Vietnamese and regional businesses expand into Russia and wider Eurasian markets.

The country’s strategic location, manufacturing capacity, and growing infrastructure network provide opportunities for deeper cooperation in trade, tourism, logistics, and investment.

First Priority: Building Stronger Supply Chains and Investment Networks

The first pillar of Vietnam’s strategy focuses on developing new supply chains and strengthening trade and investment connections.

Russia’s advantages in energy, raw materials, agriculture, industrial production, and scientific capabilities can complement ASEAN large consumer markets, young workforce, and expanding manufacturing networks.

Vietnam aims to encourage greater cooperation in high-tech manufacturing, industrial processing, energy, logistics, and advanced agriculture.

Stronger supply chain partnerships could help both regions diversify production networks, improve economic resilience, and create new opportunities for businesses.

The strategy also supports increased Russian investment in Southeast Asia while encouraging ASEAN companies to explore opportunities in Russia’s Far East.

Second Priority: Developing Transport and Logistics Connectivity

The second priority focuses on improving transport links between Russia and Southeast Asia.

Vietnam has proposed strengthening maritime connections between Vladivostok, Russia’s Far East region, Vietnam, and ASEAN countries while linking these routes with Eurasian railways and international transport corridors.

A potential Far East-Vietnam-ASEAN logistics corridor could connect seaports, cold storage facilities, distribution centres, and manufacturing hubs.

Improved logistics infrastructure would support faster movement of goods, reduce transportation costs, and create more efficient trade routes between Russia and Asia.

For tourism, stronger connectivity could also improve accessibility and support greater movement of travellers between ASEAN destinations and Russia.

Third Priority: Expanding Technology, Digital Transformation and AI Cooperation

Technology and innovation represent another important area for future ASEAN-Russia cooperation.

Potential collaboration areas include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, digital healthcare, education technology, smart manufacturing, and data infrastructure.

The two regions could develop joint research programmes, technology transfer initiatives, workforce training projects, and commercial applications of new technologies.

Digital transformation is expected to become a major driver of economic growth, helping businesses improve efficiency and creating new opportunities across multiple industries.

The tourism sector could also benefit through digital travel platforms, smarter destination management systems, and improved visitor services.

Fourth Priority: Supporting Green Energy and Sustainable Development

Green growth and energy cooperation form another major pillar of the proposed strategy.

ASEAN economies are experiencing increasing energy demand while also working to reduce emissions and transition towards more sustainable development models.

Vietnam has identified opportunities in renewable energy, offshore wind power, modern electricity infrastructure, green technologies, and circular economy initiatives.

Russia’s experience in energy and technology could support ASEAN efforts to develop cleaner and more efficient energy systems.

Sustainable development cooperation could also encourage new investments and strengthen environmental partnerships between both regions.

Fifth Priority: Expanding Finance, Tourism and People-to-People Exchanges

The final priority focuses on finance, investment, tourism, education, and cultural cooperation.

Vietnam is developing economic zones connected with ports, logistics networks, industry, and services. The country is also establishing international financial centres in major cities, creating new opportunities for global investors and financial institutions.

Tourism cooperation is expected to become an increasingly important part of ASEAN-Russia relations.

Vietnam welcomed nearly 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, providing a strong foundation for expanding tourism links with Russia and other ASEAN markets.

Greater aviation connectivity, cultural exchanges, educational partnerships, and tourism cooperation programmes could strengthen people-to-people relations and support economic growth.

ASEAN-Russia Partnership Targets Stronger Future Cooperation

Vietnam’s five-point strategy reflects a broader vision for deeper ASEAN-Russia cooperation by 2030.

Future collaboration is expected to focus on stronger trade networks, diversified supply chains, improved logistics corridors, digital innovation, tourism growth, financial partnerships, and clean energy development.

The priority now is turning strategic agreements into practical projects involving governments, businesses, and regional stakeholders.

Vietnam aims to continue its role as an economic bridge connecting Russia with ASEAN and linking the Eurasian Economic Union with Southeast Asia.

Vietnam has launched a five-point ASEAN-Russia cooperation roadmap to unlock new opportunities in trade, tourism, technology, supply chains and connectivity by creating stronger business links and regional integration.

The strategy highlights a new phase of cooperation where trade, tourism, technology, and connectivity become key drivers of long-term ASEAN-Russia economic growth.