Russian president visits Vietnam to boost ties

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) reviews the guard of honor with his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Nov 12, 2013. Putin is in Hanoi for a one-day visit to Vietnam as part of his Asia tour. [Photo/Agencies]

HANOI, Vietnam?- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday for a one-day state visit to boost ties between the former ideological allies.

Military and energy cooperation is likely to top the agenda during talks with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and other leaders.

Russia remains the main supplier of military hardware to Vietnam and plans are being worked out to produce some military equipment in Vietnam with assistance from Russian companies.

Last week, Russia handed over the first of six diesel-electric Kilo Class submarines in a deal signed in 2009.

"Russian-Vietnamese friendship has stood the test of time, having lived through the numerous tragic events of the 20th century and drastic changes in the world as well as in our countries," Putin wrote in an article carried on state media Monday.

Vietnam and Russia were ideological allies until the break-up of the former Soviet Union in 1991. Bilateral relations warmed up under Putin and the countries signed strategic partnership agreement in 2001.

Cooperation in energy has gone beyond the oil and gas sector. Russian company Rosatom was awarded to build Vietnam's first nuclear power plant in central Vietnam.

Putin travels to South Korea later Tuesday.