Moscow will assist Vietnam in building a subway in the country's capital Hanoi, the chief of the Moscow metro said Saturday.

"The issue is being considered and discussed," Dmitry Gayev said.

Gayev said the agreement on metro construction was reached in February, when a Moscow government delegation visited Vietnam.

"They need it. And we will do it with pleasure," he said, adding that no timeframes have been set yet.

The subway in the Russian capital is one of the world's largest, with over 180 stations and a total length of more than 300 km (187 miles).

Meanwhile, Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov on Saturday praised cooperation with Vietnam.

"For Moscow, Vietnam is the first priority compared to any other countries in terms of cooperation," Yury Luzhkov said at a meeting with a Vietnamese delegation led by Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, adding that cooperation develops well in trade and tourism.

MOSCOW, July 10 (RIA Novosti)