Vietnam-Uzbekistan friendship: ‘Geographically distant but close at heart’

Delegates take a commemorative photo at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association. (Photo: Trung Anh)

The event brought together several generations of people who have studied, worked and forged ties with Uzbekistan, alongside delegates, Association members and those who cherish the friendship between Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

The gathering opened in a warm and intimate atmosphere with cultural performances imbued with Uzbek colours. Classic songs such as Чайхана and Tashkent, My Love, together with traditional costumes, evoked memories of youth, friendship and deep connections with the Central Asian country among many delegates.

Chairman of the Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association Lai Ngoc Doan emphasizes the role of people-to-people diplomacy in preserving and nurturing the traditional friendship between the two countries. (Photo: Trung Anh)

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association Lai Ngoc Doan affirmed that the Association’s three-decade journey is a testament to the perseverance of people-to-people diplomacy, contributing to the preservation and development of traditional friendship between Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

More from WVR
Vietnam, Uzbekistan enhance people-to-people diplomacy

Looking back on the long history of relations between the two countries, the Chairman emphasised that the bilateral friendship is “geographically distant but always close at heart”.

The foundation for this relationship was laid by President Ho Chi Minh’s historic visit to Tashkent in 1959, which opened deep connections between the peoples of the two countries and became a memorable milestone in the history of bilateral relations.

During Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation and its subsequent nation-building efforts, the Government and people of Uzbekistan offered sincere support and helped train nearly 3,000 Vietnamese engineers, scientists and experts.

Many of these Vietnamese graduates later returned home and became a core force, making important contributions to the country’s construction and development.

Chairman Lai Ngoc Doan emphasised that since Vietnam and Uzbekistan officially established diplomatic relations in 1992, bilateral ties have continued to expand and develop across various fields.

Notably, Uzbekistan has become Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner in Central Asia, while Vietnam is Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner within ASEAN.

Chairman of the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association Alisher Rustamovich Mukhamedov delivers an online address at the anniversary celebration. (Photo: Yen Vi)

Sending a message from Tashkent, Chairman of the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association Alisher Rustamovich Mukhamedov emphasised that the Association’s 30-year journey has been nurtured through difficult years, as bonds of affection between the peoples of the two countries gradually blossomed through meetings and shared experiences.

More from WVR
Uzbekistan’s Independence Day celebrated in Hanoi

Chairman Alisher Rustamovich Mukhamedov noted that Vietnamese people who studied in Uzbekistan brought with them their affection for the Central Asian country when they returned home, becoming “friendship ambassadors” who helped extend the bonds between Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

On this occasion, the Chairman said that Uzbekistan is undergoing a period of far-reaching transformation under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, with extensive reforms being carried out in economic and social fields, creating new demands for the activities of social organisations and friendship associations.

Accordingly, the Chairman of the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Ties with Foreign Countries under Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Culture and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO). He also said that the two sides have signed memoranda of understanding on cooperation to strengthen the institutional foundations for friendship and people-to-people exchanges.

From the milestone of 30 years, the Chairman of the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association said an important task today is to pass the “torch of friendship” to the younger generation, allowing the foundations laid by their predecessors to continue to be strengthened through new forms of cooperation.

He expressed his hope that young people from Vietnam and Uzbekistan will study together, launch businesses, develop enterprises, implement social projects and exchange knowledge, giving the friendship between the two peoples new vitality through practical action.

Former Chairman of the Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association Luong Phan Cu shares highlights from the Association’s 30-year journey and the role of generations of members in nurturing friendship between the two countries. (Photo: Trung Anh)

Also at the ceremony, former Chairman of the Vietnam-Uzbekistan Friendship Association Luong Phan Cu recalled a special feature of the Association’s 30-year journey: its annual gatherings, which bring together people who once studied, worked and forged ties with Uzbekistan to reunite, revisit the years gone by and preserve a shared affection for the Central Asian country.

More from WVR
Celebrating 30th anniversary of Vietnam-Uzbekistan diplomatic ties

According to him, from what may seem like deeply personal memories, the Association has created a space where the bonds among its members can continue, while also contributing to people-to-people diplomacy between Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

Looking back on the Association’s activities, Luong Phan Cu said that from gatherings, cultural exchanges and delegation visits to return trips to Uzbekistan and welcoming Uzbek friends to Vietnam, every activity has been sustained by the enthusiasm of successive generations of members.

He recalled with emotion that even during difficult periods, generations of members continued to share responsibilities and contribute to welcoming their Uzbek friends during visits to Vietnam.

Assessing the Association’s 30-year journey, Luong Phan Cu emphasised that its achievements have been built through the persistent contributions of generations of members, from the pioneers who laid its initial foundations, including former Chairman Do Minh Quy, to the members of today.

Some other images from the event:

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha held talks with Uzbekistan counterpart, calling to deepen ties WVR/VNA - On April 7, in Tashkent, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha held talks with his Uzbekistani counterpart Jamshid Khodjaev, calling for the two ...

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man meets with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent WVR/VNA - On April 7 afternoon (local time), Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in ...

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man attends Vietnam-Uzbekistan business dialogue WVR/VNA - On April 8 morning (local time), National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man attended the Vietnam-Uzbekistan business dialogue , as part of his ongoing ...

Da Nang International Airport welcomes passengers on direct air route from Uzbekistan WVR/VNA - On April 27, a direct flight from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, landed at Da Nang International Airport, bringing over 180 visitors to the central coastal ...

Vietnam seeks to further strengthen traditional friendship with Uzbekistan: Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha WVR - Vietnam always values and seeks to further strengthen its traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with Uzbekistan, said Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong ...