Consulate General of Vietnam in Ekaterinburg marks 81st anniversary of National Day
WVR - On September 10, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Ekaterinburg held a ceremony to commemorate the 81st anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2026). The event was attended by representatives from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ekaterinburg, leaders of Sverdlovsk province, city officials from Ekaterinburg, various agencies, organizations, businesses, cultural and media figures, the Vietnamese community, and numerous Russian friends.
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| Vietnamese Consul General in Ekaterinburg Nguyen Mai Huong delivers a speech. |
In her speech at the ceremony, Vietnamese Consul General in Ekaterinburg Nguyen Mai Huong expressed gratitude to the distinguished Vietnamese and Russian guests for attending the event. She emphasised the special significance of National Day for every Vietnamese person and the nation's history.
Consul General Nguyen Mai Huong affirmed that over the past eight decades, Vietnam has risen strongly from a country that endured many years of war with great losses and sacrifices. It has become a dynamic economy, part of the group of upper-middle-income countries, and is increasingly integrating deeply into the global economy.
According to the Consul General, these achievements are primarily due to the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the will, determination, and development aspirations of the nation, along with the invaluable support and companionship from international friends, including the former Soviet Union and today's Russian Federation.
Discussing Vietnam's development directions in the new phase, the Consul General stated that the 14th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, held in January 2026, has opened a new development path towards building a prosperous and strong Vietnam.
Particularly, the State visit to Russia by General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse, which concluded on September 9, 2026, holds significant importance. It serves as a crucial impetus to enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation, strengthen political trust, and expand cooperation in various fields.
Recalling milestones in the Vietnam-Russia friendship, especially the connection with Sverdlovsk province, more than 70 years ago, President Ho Chi Minh, during his official visit to the Soviet Union, visited Sverdlovsk province and received a warm welcome from local leaders and people.
The Consul General thanked Sverdlovsk province for always cherishing and preserving historical images of President Ho Chi Minh's visit, including organizing a photo exhibition in Hanoi in March 2025. She also appreciated the effective cooperation of Sverdlovsk's agencies, organizations, and businesses with the Vietnamese Consulate General, as well as their attention and support for the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in the area.
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| Mr. Alexander Vladimirovich Kharlov, Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ekaterinburg, delivers a speech. |
In his speech at the ceremony, Mr. Alexander Vladimirovich Kharlov, Representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ekaterinburg, highlighted the historical depth and strength of the Vietnam-Russia friendship. He noted that throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the peoples of the two countries stood side by side, united in friendship, especially during Vietnam's struggle for independence against colonialism. “The friendship between the two nations has truly been tested by fire and time,” he emphasized.
Mr. Kharlov also mentioned the visit to Russia from September 7-9 by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, President To Lam, stating that the visit and successful talks with the Russian President are vivid evidence of the close ties and regular exchanges between the leaders of the two countries. He expressed delight at such high-level exchanges and reiterated Russian President Vladimir Putin's assessment that Vietnam-Russia cooperation continues to expand across most fields.
He also highlighted that during the meeting with the General Secretary, President To Lam, the Russian President quoted the phrase “Unity is strength, With one heart, No task is too difficult” from the poem “Hon da” by President Ho Chi Minh, written in April 1942. This demonstrates respect for the history and spiritual values that have contributed to fostering the friendship between the two nations.
Mr. Kharlov emotionally emphasised that every year, during National Day celebrations, the Consulate General invites Russian veterans to attend.
According to him, this is a gesture rich in meaning, showing deep respect and gratitude from the Vietnamese nation for the invaluable support provided by the Russian and former Soviet peoples to Vietnam in its struggle for national independence. He believes that these sentiments and gratitude are vivid evidence of the enduring friendship tradition, nurtured over generations between the peoples of the two countries.
On this occasion, Mr. Alexander Kharlov presented the Vietnamese Consul General in Ekaterinburg with a book published by Sverdlovsk province, introducing President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Sverdlovsk in 1955.
The gift holds special significance, recalling an important milestone in the history of relations between Vietnam and the Ural region, and demonstrating Russia's respect for the historical legacy and friendship that President Ho Chi Minh fostered.
Mr. Kharlov emphasized that the ties formed from history are continuing to be strengthened in the present. The relationship between the Vietnamese people and the people of Sverdlovsk province is becoming increasingly close and warm, with many exchanges and cooperation activities in various fields.
According to him, the friendship between Vietnam and Sverdlovsk is an important part of the traditional friendship and increasingly developing cooperation between the Vietnamese and Russian peoples in general.
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| Deputy Minister of International Relations and External Economic Affairs of Sverdlovsk Province Ilya Skidin delivers a speech. |
In a congratulatory speech at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of International Relations and External Economic Affairs of Sverdlovsk Province Ilya Skidin, on behalf of the Sverdlovsk provincial administration, extended congratulations to the Vietnamese people on the occasion of the 81st National Day and affirmed respect for Vietnam's history of struggle for independence.
Mr. Ilya Skidin emphasised that 2026 witnessed many new activities and exchanges between Sverdlovsk and Vietnam. In April 2026, a delegation from the province visited Hanoi and held discussions with leading enterprises and specialized agencies in Vietnam. Agreements reached in fields such as machinery manufacturing, mining, energy, and automation are expected to open new prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.
During the INNOPROM International Industrial Exhibition in July 2026 in Sverdlovsk, the province also welcomed a delegation from Quang Ninh province of Vietnam. The two sides discussed the possibility of establishing inter-regional cooperation and promoting trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian links.
Appreciating the historical values and close ties between the two nations, Mr. Ilya Skidin noted that President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Sverdlovsk in 1955 is a prominent testament to the friendship and mutual respect between the peoples of the two countries. According to him, these fine traditions are being further promoted through enhanced cultural-educational cooperation, inter-regional dialogue, and expanded relations between business communities.
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| Mr. Mikhail Brodsky, Head of the Department of International Relations and External Economic Affairs of the Sverdlovsk Small and Medium Enterprises Union, delivers a speech. |
From an economic cooperation perspective, Mr. Mikhail Brodsky, Head of the Department of International Relations and External Economic Affairs of the Sverdlovsk Small and Medium Enterprises Union, stressed that 2026 marks a new development step in cooperation between the Sverdlovsk business community and Vietnam.
According to Mr. Brodsky, while previous connections were short-term, this year both sides have gradually built a systematic cooperation program. In April, an international conference was held with the participation of the Vietnamese Consulate General and the Russian Trade Mission in Vietnam; in May, there was an online meeting with the Vietnam Small and Medium Enterprises Association; in July, a program introduced the economic potential of Quang Ninh province, resulting in three memoranda of understanding signed by member enterprises of the Sverdlovsk Small and Medium Enterprises Union.
Mr. Mikhail Brodsky believes that behind official activities are people-to-people relationships, where business connections gradually transform into trust and friendship, as well as joint projects implemented by both sides.
He assessed that Vietnam is becoming increasingly closer to Ekaterinburg and Sverdlovsk province. Interest in the Vietnamese language and culture is growing; Vietnamese-branded businesses, products, and services are appearing more frequently, while more local residents are traveling to Vietnam to explore the country and its people.
He affirmed that the Sverdlovsk Small and Medium Enterprises Union will continue to promote initiatives to expand cooperation between Sverdlovsk province and Vietnamese localities.
In a friendly atmosphere, the delegates raised their glasses to toast Vietnam's National Day, wishing for the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation to continue developing, and for cooperation between localities, businesses, and people of the two countries to achieve more practical results.
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| Scene of the 81st Vietnam National Day Celebration. |
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On this occasion, the Vietnamese Consulate General introduced traditional Vietnamese dishes to delegates.
The art program – video themed “Vietnam – Land of Beauty and Inspiration” also took Russian and international guests on a journey through the images of Vietnam's landscape, culture, and people via video presentations and violin performances by artist Vladimir Zheltovsky. Vietnamese and Russian musical pieces were performed, including Xin chao Viet Nam, Toi thay hoa vang tren co xanh, Mot vong Viet Nam, along with familiar Russian melodies like Moscow Nights, Kalinka, and Katyusha.
(Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Ekaterinburg, Russia)
