Joint Space Flight 37: A journey shaped by Vietnam–Russian Federation friendship
WVR - On April 10, in Hanoi, the State Records and Archives Department, under Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vietnam organized the opening of the Vietnam-Russian Federation document exhibition, commemorating the 65th anniversary of the first human flight into space.
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Attending the opening ceremony were Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cao Huy; Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong; Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko; Director of the State Records and Archives Department Dang Thanh Tung; Lieutenant General, Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Labour Hero Pham Tuan; General Director of the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center, Lieutenant General Dang Hong Trien; former President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, along with Ambassadors, Heads of diplomatic missions, and representatives of international organizations in Vietnam.
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| Lieutenant General Pham Tuan and delegates were moved when revisiting the precious footage of the historic Joint Space Flight 37. (Photo: Yen Vi) |
The program began with documentary footage and the film “Welcome to the Vietnam-Soviet International Space Crew,” recreating Joint Space Flight 37 – a milestone marking Vietnam's first participation in the journey to conquer space.
Notably, the delegates received congratulatory messages from Russian cosmonauts working on the International Space Station (ISS), conveying a spirit of connection and the human aspiration to conquer space to the exhibition.
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| “Sending warmest greetings to those in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam!” – a greeting from Russian cosmonauts hundreds of kilometers away from Earth to Hanoi. (Photo: Yen Vi) |
The Archival sector – A bridge connecting the past and present
In his opening speech at the event, Director of the State Records and Archives Department Dang Thanh Tung affirmed that the exhibition "Joint Flight 37 - A Symbol of Vietnam-Russian Federation Space Cooperation" is an important milestone commemorating the 63rd anniversary of humanity's first flight into space, while honoring the historical value of the Soyuz 37 flight in 1980.
This is a special highlight as, for the first time, a Vietnamese person undertook a mission in space, becoming a vivid symbol of friendship, political trust, and effective cooperation between Vietnam and the former Soviet Union, now the Russian Federation.
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| Mr. Dang Thanh Tung, Director of the State Records and Archives Department, delivers the opening speech. (Photo: Yen Vi) |
Quoting Russian President Vladimir Putin on the bilateral relationship that has “stood the test of time,” Director Dang Thanh Tung emphasized that archival documents are the most authentic evidence connecting the past with the present.
Following the directive spirit of General Secretary, President To Lam on building symbolic projects for traditional relations in the new era, this event also marks another step forward in archival cooperation with the launch of the bilingual Vietnam-Russia publication: "Vietnam-Soviet Union during the Struggle for Vietnam's Peace. The Paris Conference". The book compiles many documents published for the first time, shedding light on the negotiation role and the invaluable support of the Soviet Union for Vietnam.
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| Mr. Andrey Ruslanovich Efimenko, representative of the Russian Federal Archival Agency, emphasizes the event's occurrence in the atmosphere of an internationally significant anniversary. (Source: Yen Vi) |
Continuing, Mr. Andrey Ruslanovich Efimenko, representative of the Russian Federal Archival Agency, noted that 2024 is a "golden" year with milestones in the field of space exploration.
Recalling the historic flight to the Salyut-6 station by the Vietnam-Soviet crew, Mr. Efimenko emotionally shared: “It was a flight woven from sincere friendship, forged through years of arduous struggle and brilliant achievements in building peace. It is an eternal symbol of absolute trust between the two nations.”
He also highly appreciated the cooperation between the archival agencies of the two countries in spreading historical values through numerous document publications, notably collections on the Soyuz-37 flight and the bilingual Vietnam-Russia publication on the struggle for peace in Vietnam.
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| Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cao Huy expresses confidence in the Archival Sector's role in preserving and passing on invaluable documents to today's and future generations. (Photo: Yen Vi) |
At the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cao Huy also acknowledged and highly appreciated the proactive role of the State Records and Archives Department of Vietnam in connecting with Russian Federation partners and military museums to create a rich and engaging exhibition space.
He affirmed: “Not just an event activity, the Archival Sector has clearly demonstrated its advisory and leading role in researching, preserving, and promoting the value of documents, making heritage truly a valuable resource serving the country's development and international integration.”
Amid increasingly deep integration, Deputy Minister Cao Huy outlined directions for renewing thinking and operational methods, further strengthening international cooperation with traditional partners, and enhancing the application of science, technology, and digital transformation to improve the effectiveness of traditional education.
Memories of the journey to bring the Vietnamese Flag into space
The program was deeply moving with Lieutenant General Pham Tuan's recollections of the great historical journey of space exploration, from the legendary 108-minute flight of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin 65 years ago to the vast scientific foundation of Soviet scientists.
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| Lieutenant General Pham Tuan recalls the historic journey into space. (Photo: VNA) |
The Lieutenant General expressed profound emotion as he inherited that path, realizing President Ho Chi Minh's aspiration for the mission “Vietnamese youth to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world in conquering space.”
Recalling the historic flight, the Lieutenant General relived the range of emotions from the anticipation and risk as the spacecraft launched and landed, to the overwhelming happiness when viewing Earth from hundreds of kilometers above.
During the 8 days in orbit with nearly 40 scientific experiments, the most sacred moment was when he carried the national flag, Ba Dinh soil, and President Ho Chi Minh's Testament to declare to the world: “The Vietnamese flag is now present in the vast space.”
That flight was not only a scientific achievement but also a noble symbol of Vietnam-Russia solidarity: “The friendship between the two countries has been on land, on water, in the sky, and now in space,” concluded Lieutenant General Pham Tuan.
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| Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko is confident in the abundant potential, cooperation experience, and determination from Vietnam-Russia in the space sector. (Photo: Yen Vi) |
In an exchange with The World & Vietnam Report, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko shared that the cooperative relationship in space research between the two countries has historical roots and strategic significance for the future.
Expressing optimism about the cooperation prospects, the Ambassador emphasized: “I am very hopeful that in the future, the collaboration between the two countries in science and technology, especially space research, will yield more concrete and substantial results.” He also expressed hope to soon see new Vietnamese cosmonauts appear in orbit.
Former President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, also expressed pride in the significance of humanity's first step into space, “this is also evidence of the will, determination, and friendship for peace between the two nations.”
The Ambassador emphasized that the nearly 80-year history of sincere attachment is proof that no geographical distance or development level can hinder cooperation when two nations share a noble goal.
Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga believes that scientific and technological cooperation with the Russian Federation, especially in “core technology” sectors like aerospace and nuclear power, will be an important foundation.
Also within the framework of the opening, delegates visited the exhibition space, which comprehensively introduces the journey of the Soyuz 37 flight from selection, training, to mission execution and return.
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| Delegates take commemorative photos at the exhibition opening ceremony. (Photo: VNA) |
The exhibition displays a rich system of documents, images, films, and artifacts from Vietnam and the Russian Federation, including many documents published for the first time along with memorabilia associated with the flight, especially items carried into space by Lieutenant General Pham Tuan.
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| Joint Space Flight 37: Exhibition space, which comprehensively introduces the journey of the Soyuz 37 flight from selection, training, to mission execution and return. (Photo: Van Nguyen) |
The exhibition is open to the public until June 10, 2026, at the State Records and Archives Department, No. 12 Dao Tan Street, Giang Vo Ward, Hanoi.
