Residents of Old Hanoi celebrate anticipated visit of ‘world leader’ Putin

In Hanoi, Nguyen Thi Hong Van’s Russian souvenir shop stands out as a unique establishment in the Vietnamese capital. Despite this, she notes that her gifts sell very well, reflecting the enthusiasm that many old Hanoians have for an expected visit by President Vladimir Putin. Surrounded by Matryoshka dolls and caps featuring the embroidered Cyrillic abbreviation for the Soviet Union (USSR), Van expresses the Vietnamese people’s love for Russian products.

President Putin is set to visit Communist-ruled Vietnam on Wednesday and Thursday, as confirmed by multiple officials. The news of his visit comes shortly after being sworn in for his fifth presidential term. Residents of Hanoi, like 57-year-old Tran Xuan Cuong, eagerly anticipate Putin’s arrival, recognizing him as a talented world leader whom they admire. Vietnam and Russia share a longstanding relationship rooted in Communist ideology, with Moscow serving as Hanoi’s leading weapons supplier and engaging in oil and gas extraction in disputed South China Sea territories.

The influence of the former Soviet Union is evident in the architecture and cultural connections present in Hanoi. Many Vietnamese cadres, including top business leaders and Communist Party officials, studied in the USSR during the Cold War era. The cityscape is marked by Soviet-style buildings, such as the museum of Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnam-Soviet friendship palace, embodying the historical bond between Vietnam and Russia.

For 83-year-old Tran Xuan Viet, the Russian spirit symbolizes gentleness, affection, and a love for peace. He expresses his admiration for Putin’s leadership qualities and shares how aspects of Putin’s character influence his daily life. While older generations in Hanoi hold deep respect and admiration for Putin and the Russian spirit, the sentiments are not necessarily shared among younger residents, who declined to comment on the upcoming visit.