HANOI, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- "Vietnam respects Russian people's choice and believes that Russia will continue to achieve victory on the way of strengthening and developing the country and raising its position in the international arena," a local spokesman said Thursday.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung made the statement when asked by reporters to offer Vietnam's evaluation on results of the Russian Duma election on Dec. 2.

    Traditional cooperation, friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation will continue to be consolidated and strengthened for the interests of the two countries' people, for peace, cooperation and development in the world, he said.

    In Russia's fifth elections for State Duma, the lower house of parliament, the United Russia party swept some 63 percent of ballots and secured an overwhelming majority.