Vladimir Putin signs deals with Vietnam in bid to strengthen ties in Asia

Russia and Vietnam have agreed to further cooperation on education, science and technology, oil and gas exploration and health, following Russia inking several deals with North Korea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Vietnamese President To Lam (right) signed agreements to further cooperation on education, science and technology, oil and gas exploration and health. Source: AAP / Michael Nigro / Dmitry Azarov / Kommersant

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a series of deals with his Vietnamese counterpart Tô Lâm during a state visit.

The background: The two men signed agreements on Thursday to further cooperation on education, science and technology, oil and gas exploration and health.

They also agreed to work on a road map for a nuclear science and technology centre in Vietnam.

Putin arrived in the country from North Korea, where he signed a bilateral defence agreement with leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday, enhancing relations between Moscow and Pyongyang.

The key quote: "Russia is signalling that it is not isolated in Asia despite the Ukraine war, and Vietnam is reinforcing a key traditional relationship even as it also diversifies ties with newer partners." — Prashanth Parameswaran, a fellow with the Wilson Center's Asia Program.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (centre) poses for a group photograph before departing from Noi Bai International Airport. Source: AAP / Michael Nigro / Григоров Гавриил / Gavriil Grigorov

What else to know: Earlier this week, the United States Embassy in Vietnam criticised the Russian president's visit, saying no country should be providing a platform for him to promote his war against Ukraine.

What happens now: Vietnam has maintained a neutral stance in Russia's war against Ukraine, but these agreements are set to put that neutrality into question.

Read more: 'Bad news for Australia': Why the security pact between Russia and North Korea is significant