Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh claimed that the Russian Federation was one of his country's 'most important partners', during talks with President Vladimir Putin in Hanoi on Thursday.

"Russia has always been one of the most important partners for Vietnam. Our traditional friendship, sincerity, political trust, cordial co-operation are invaluable assets of our two nations, which have been built over many generations of leaders and people," the prime minister said.

Pham Minh Chinh also emphasised that the Russian leader's visit signified the two countries' determination to give new impetus to their relationship.

Putin arrived in Hanoi for a two-day visit on Wednesday at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong.

The agenda for the state visit also includes meetings with President To Lam and National Assembly Chair Tran Thanh Man.

The last time the Russian leader travelled to the republic was in 2017, when he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit in Da Nang.

Earlier, Putin visited Pyongyang and held talks with DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) leader Kim Jong-un.