Vietnam–Russia Relations through the Lenses of History, Memory, and Community

Abstract

This paper examines Vietnam–Russia relations in the post-Cold War era from the perspectives of historical legacy, collective memory, and societal linkages, seeking to move beyond conventional approaches that emphasize geopolitics and military cooperation. The study argues that the durability of bilateral relations is not grounded solely in contemporary strategic interests but is shaped by a multi-layered structure in which the Soviet–Vietnam legacy, memory politics, and transnational social networks play foundational roles. Based on a review of academic literature published between 2015 and 2025, combined with an analysis of political discourse and public diplomacy practices, the paper identifies three main findings. First, the institutional, legal, and human resource legacies of the Soviet period continue to influence political structures, levels of trust, and the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Second, the memory of “traditional friendship” is reproduced in political discourse, education, and media as a symbolic resource that reinforces legitimacy and the distinctive character of bilateral ties amid intensifying major-power competition. Third, cooperation in education, culture, language, and two-way migration forms a “soft infrastructure” that sustains interaction beyond the state level. The paper concludes that integrating historical and societal dimensions into the analysis of Vietnam–Russia relations provides a more comprehensive explanation of their continuity and adaptability within a transforming international order.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2026.14