“Cooperation between the two countries has continued to develop, and the importance of maintaining this effective relationship is undeniable. Viet Nam holds a special place in Russia’s foreign policy," Alexander Stuglev affirmed.

The Roscongress Foundation, established by a decision of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, plays a role in organising major international events such as conferences, exhibitions, business, and public activities, including SPIEF.

In 2025, the Forum brought together more than 24,000 delegates from 144 countries and territories. Among the largest foreign delegations were representatives from Indonesia, China, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. At the conclusion of the Forum, more than 1,060 agreements were signed, with a total estimated value of approximately 6.3 trillion rubles.

Viet Nam has always been one of the most active participants at SPIEF. In 2025, the Forum organised the Russia–Viet Nam Business Dialogue, providing a platform for the parties to discuss new initiatives, expand trade and economic cooperation, and implement joint projects.

Speaking at the Viet Nam–Russia Business Forum held in Moscow last spring, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko stated: “In 2025, the sectors recording the highest growth rates are tourism, financial services, and industrial production. The demand for developing external economic relations is increasing from both businesses and governments. By the end of 2025, bilateral trade between Russia and Viet Nam grew by 6%, with both Russian exports to Viet Nam and imports from Viet Nam to Russia showing an upward trend.”

Dmitry Chernyshenko also highlighted prospects for cooperation in education, science and innovation, digital technology, finance, and logistics; and invited Vietnamese partners to participate in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026) is scheduled to take place from June 3–6, as will the Eastern Economic Forum, scheduled for September 1–4.

To promote international dialogue on trade, economic, and cultural cooperation, Roscongress International was established as a specialised platform, with the main goal of facilitating exchanges between representatives of government agencies and business communities in Russia and other countries, supporting joint projects in various fields, and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.

“The Forum is a place where businesses, governments, and civil society not only discuss challenges but also jointly develop concrete solutions to ensure sustainable growth and long-term global stability,” emphasised Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organising Committee.

In 2026, Saudi Arabia will be the guest of honour at the Forum. The main theme of SPIEF 2026 is “Substantive Dialogue: The Path to a Stable Future.” A key focus of the programme will be international business dialogues, including EAEU–ASEAN, Russia–China, Russia–Thailand, and many others.