Newly leaked documents from a Russian defense supplier, obtained by The New York Times, reveal a renewed Vietnamese turn toward Russia for military cooperation and hardware acquisitions. The reports, published on Monday, show that despite ongoing international sanctions on Moscow, Vietnam continues to engage in defense trade with Russia, deepening a partnership that dates back to the Cold War.
The two New York Times investigative pieces detailed growing cooperation between Hanoi and Moscow, even as Vietnam’s enthusiasm for expanding ties with Washington appears to have cooled. According to the leaks, Vietnam has been purchasing advanced military technology and weapon systems from Russia, while U.S.-Vietnam defense deals have stalled or failed to materialize.
One of the key reasons behind this shift, analysts suggest, stems from growing Vietnamese frustration with delays and cancellations of U.S. defense cooperation projects. Several proposed arms sales, including air defense systems and transport aircraft, have been held up in Washington due to political disagreements and bureaucratic hurdles.
Further complicating matters, President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this year to impose 47% tariffs on Vietnamese imports reportedly strained economic and political relations. The tariffs, combined with congressional inaction on arms agreements, prompted Hanoi to turn once again to traditional partners—Russia and China—for reliable defense and trade cooperation. The collapse of a deal for C-130 transport aircraft was viewed in Washington as a significant diplomatic setback.
A leaked spreadsheet from the Russian defense company identified Vietnam as “Customer 704,” linked to purchases of electronic warfare systems for Su-35 fighter jets, along with air defense equipment, tanks, and naval assets.
Following the 2023 signing of a U.S.-Vietnam strategic partnership under former President Joe Biden, many in Washington believed Hanoi had decisively aligned with the West. However, Vietnam’s ongoing balance between major powers suggests a more pragmatic approach rooted in national security and historical ties.
Observers note that since the end of the Cold War, U.S. policymakers have often portrayed Vietnam’s economic liberalization and engagement with Washington as validation for the Vietnam War. Yet, as current developments show, Hanoi’s foreign policy continues to prioritize strategic independence rather than serving as a counterweight to any single power.