First Vietnam-Russia People's Forum: Opening a new chapter in people-to-people exchanges

Overview of the Vietnam-Russia People's Forum: Saint Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov sent a recorded message congratulating the inauguration of the First Vietnam-Russia People's Forum. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

On the morning of September 30, the ceremony celebrating 75 years of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950 - January 30, 2025) and inauguration ceremony of the first Vietnam-Russia People's Forum were held in Hanoi.

The event was organized by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) in collaboration with the Saint Petersburg Foreign Relations Committee, the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association, and the Russia-Vietnam Cooperation Development Promotion Fund "Tradition and Friendship".

On behalf of the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam attending the event, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha affirmed that Vietnam has always remembered and treasured the great and sincere support that the people of the former Soviet Union and today's Russian Federation have given to Vietnam during the difficult years of the struggle for national independence, as well as in national construction and defence at present.

Having studied in Russia, the Deputy Prime Minister expressed his emotions when recalling memories of exemplary teachers, kind Russian mothers, and sincere classmates. These are the experiences of many who have studied and lived in the former Soviet Union and today's Russia.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaking at the Forum. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Vietnam always attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia, considering it one of the top priorities in its foreign policy, affirmed Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha praised and highly appreciated the initiative of VUFO and the friendship associations of both countries in launching and organizing the forum, making a practical contribution to the implementation of major orientations of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while opening a new chapter and an effective dialogue mechanism to deepen understanding and trust between the peoples of the two countries.

"This will be a place for people from all walks of life, experts, intellectuals, and especially the younger generation of the two countries to propose practical initiatives, contributing to deepening and enriching the content of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

He affirmed that with a strong political foundation and the determination of their high-ranking leaders, the two countries will continue to write new chapters in their relations, thereby contributing to regional and global peace and stability.

At the event, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko highlighted the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in enhancing understanding, strengthening trust, friendship, and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries; while affirming that Russia values people-to-people diplomacy.

People-to-people diplomacy allows for the great creative potential of the masses to be unleashed, promotes grassroots initiatives, and enhances the role of the people in addressing urgent issues, contributing to the connection between nations and peoples.

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko speaking at the Forum. (Photo: Đinh Hoà)

The Ambassador stated that Russia particularly emphasizes the important role of friendship associations in promoting the expansion of multifaceted relations between the two countries. Over the decades, these associations have ensured effective cooperation between prestigious scientific centers, universities, cultural and sports agencies, women's organizations, youth and student organizations, trade unions, professional associations, businesses, and the press between the two countries.

At the Forum, VUFO President Phan Anh Son also affirmed that people-to-people friendship organizations are proud to be a special, strong bridge, contributing to strengthening the solid social foundation for bilateral relations, helping the Vietnam-Russia friendship deeply penetrate into the lives and hearts of the peoples of the two countries.

VUFO President Phan Anh Son speaking at the event. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The Vietnam-Russia People's Forum takes place over 1.5 days with discussions on the history and achievements in building and developing relations between Vietnam and Russia; the potential and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in specific fields in the new context.

Within the framework of the Forum, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between localities of the two countries are also prioritized for promotion.

Mr. Phan Anh Son stated that at this Forum, delegates from both sides will proudly review and deeply evaluate the 75-year journey, affirming the values and foundational principles of the friendship, brotherhood, solidarity, and mutual support between Vietnam and Russia; exchanging measures to promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, enhancing trust and understanding between the two peoples, raising common awareness about each other's social life, and establishing cooperative relationships between organizations, businesses, and associations.

First Vietnam-Russia People's Forum: Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Committee for External Relations Evgeny Grigoriev speaking at the Forum. (Photo: Nhan dan Newspaper)

Saint Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov sent a recorded message congratulating the inauguration of the First Vietnam-Russia People's Forum, reaffirming the city's wholehearted support for the development of Russian-Vietnam relations.

Sharing the honour of representing the Saint Petersburg city authorities at the First Vietnam–Russia People’s Forum, Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Committee for External Relations Evgeny Grigoriev emphasized that the Vietnam–Russia friendship holds even greater significance as the event coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation, along with other important milestones such as the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Committee for External Relations noted that relations between Saint Petersburg and Vietnam have a long history. In June 1923, President Ho Chi Minh, then known as Nguyen Ai Quoc, set foot in Petrograd, now Saint Petersburg. In August 2020, under the decision of Governor Alexander Beglov, Vietnam was recognized as one of the city’s priority directions in external relations.

Highlighting the potential of local-level cooperation in addressing global challenges, Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Committee for External Relations stressed that city-to-city diplomacy, particularly twinning arrangements, plays a crucial role. At present, Saint Petersburg has signed bilateral cooperation documents and established sister-city relations with 84 cities and 29 regions worldwide.

A cultural performance at the Forum. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The Forum also discusses potential areas of cooperation between the two countries, the participation in promoting and connecting people-to-people diplomacy in the fields of science and technology, healthcare, economy, trade, tourism, culture, education, arts, people-to-people exchanges, and local cooperation.

This is also an opportunity to learn more about the country, people, and culture of Vietnam and Russia, for localities, people's organizations, associations, businesses, intellectuals, and youth of the two countries to expand cooperative connections.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Do Xuan Hoang President of the Union of Vietnamese Organizations in Russia, assessed that the invaluable asset of the Vietnam-Russia relationship is the solid foundation of friendship that the peoples of the two countries have painstakingly built over the past three-quarters of a century.

Delegates attending the Forum take a commemorative photo. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to Mr. Do Xuan Hoang, the two countries still have much room and opportunities for cooperation in fields such as trade, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure construction, mining, healthcare, and education. The two countries need to promote and realize these cooperation potentials.

"The Vietnamese community in Russia wishes to contribute to building in Vietnam a monument honoring the cooperation in labor between Vietnamese people and Soviet and Russian experts - a symbol of true friendship, those who stood by Vietnam during difficult times," he emphasized.

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