Russian President Mr Vladimir Putin has arrived in Vietnam for a two-day visit aimed at rebuilding economic and security ties neglected for a decade since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Mr Putin arrived in Hanoi from Seoul, South Korea as the first Kremlin chief ever to visit the country, which was one of Moscow's closest Cold War allies and once a key extension of Soviet power in Asia.
He will meet President Mr Tran Duc Luong and Prime Minister Mr Phan Van Khai tomorrowand Communist Party General Secretary Mr Le Kha Phieu on Friday.
Russian officials have said Mr Putin's aim is expanding economic cooperation, especially in energy, but serious talks are also expected on the future of a strategic naval base where Moscow has a lease that expires in 2004.
Russia is also looking for fresh arms supply contracts from Vietnam's armed forces, which have long relied on its weapons.