Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday that Russia and Vietnam are progressively transitioning to using their national currencies – the Russian Ruble and the Vietnamese Dong – for bilateral trade. This move aims to reduce reliance on third-party currencies and bolster economic cooperation between the two nations. Putin emphasized a consistent and ongoing shift towards this system. The announcement signals a strengthening of economic ties between Moscow and Hanoi amidst geopolitical changes. This development follows increasing discussions regarding de-dollarization and the search for alternative financial mechanisms in international trade. Details regarding the specific implementation timeline and scope of the currency switch were not immediately available. The move is expected to foster greater financial independence for both Russia and Vietnam.