Today (June 19), Russian President Vladimir Putin will begin a State visit to Vietnam. In the long-standing, close relationship between Vietnam and Russia, people-to-people diplomacy plays an important role, which has been carefully cultivated by generations.

Heavy Duty, Heavy Affection

Mr. Nguyen Dang Phat, former Editor-in-Chief of the World News Board (VNA), had two terms of permanent residence in the Russian Federation in the periods 1989-1993, 2005-2008, he is currently the Secretary General and Vice President of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association. Assessing the important significance of the visit, Mr. Phat hopes that the relationship between the two countries will have many new developments in all fields. Reviewing the process of Vietnam - Russia relations with the previous foundation of Vietnam - Soviet relations, Mr. Nguyen Dang Phat shared that in history, the Soviet Union helped Vietnam a lot. It was a relationship "heavy with gratitude, heavy with affection", many projects bearing the mark of Vietnam - Soviet friendship such as Hoa Binh and Tri An hydropower plants, Thang Long bridge...

Mr. Nguyen Dang Phat, Secretary General and Vice President of Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association

At that time, when our country did not have many opportunities to send people to study abroad, the Soviet Union was the place to receive Vietnamese students. The Soviet Union helped Vietnam train nearly 40 thousand officials and experts in many fields. Many of them, upon returning home, held important positions in fields such as politics, defense, economics, engineering, etc. The large number of Vietnamese students abroad created a special affection for Russia and the Russian people. Russian culture and music also created a resonance with the Vietnamese people. The Vice President of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association analyzed that the content of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Russia is much different from similar relationships between Vietnam and other countries. Security and defense cooperation is considered a pillar in the Vietnam - Russia relationship. On January 30, 2021, Vietnam and Russia issued a Joint Statement on the Vision of the Strategic Partnership to 2030. It can be seen that economic, trade and investment cooperation is still behind military and military-technical cooperation and security. However, it must be recognized that the trade turnover between the two countries is still modest, the two sides are striving to increase the trade turnover to 10 billion USD by 2030. Mr. Nguyen Dang Phat talked about the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association with a large number of members, with people who have studied and lived in Russia, but many of this generation are old. The Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association consists of 95 members, including a number of business leaders. The Association has proposed to establish a Vietnam - Russia trade promotion center, because the other side - the Russia - Vietnam Friendship Association also has a business center. In addition to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, these two focal points will help understand the needs and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. Some Russian localities are also in need of cooperation with Vietnamese localities, Mr. Phat hopes that the two countries will soon establish “twinning” relationships. The association also focuses on organizing practical activities to attract young people. The painting contest “I draw Russia, I draw Vietnam” has been held for the 8th time. In 2023, a record number was set when 17,000 students from all over the country sent paintings to participate.

Chairman of the United Russia Party Dmitry Medvedev met with the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association during his visit in May 2023. Photo: VUFO

Mr. Phat said that President Putin's schedule is expected to include activities related to people-to-people diplomacy. "This is the fifth time President Putin has visited Vietnam, and Vietnam is also the only Southeast Asian country visited by six Russian presidents. The President's choice to visit Vietnam in the first months of his term demonstrates his respect and political trust for the relationship between the two countries," Mr. Phat expected. The visit takes place on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the basic principles of Vietnam-Russia friendship. Mr. Phat said that this is an opportunity for the leaders of the two countries and ministries to meet and discuss directions and cooperation agreements. The President is one of the founders of the Russia-Vietnam relationship and a friend of Vietnam. Mr. Phat hopes that in President Putin's new term, the relationship between the two countries will continue to have good prospects.

A STRONG RELATIONSHIP FOUNDATION

On the People's Foreign Affairs Channel, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son reviewed some important milestones in the relationship between the two countries. In January 1950, the Soviet Union was one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. On December 25, 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved, and immediately after that, on December 27, 1991, Vietnam issued a Declaration recognizing the Russian Federation. On June 16, 1994, exactly 30 years ago, the two countries signed the Treaty on the basic principles of friendly relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son

This year marks the 30th anniversary of that important event. On June 30, 2023, the Russian city of St. Petersburg also inaugurated a statue of President Ho Chi Minh in the central square to commemorate the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's first visit to Petrograd (present-day St. Petersburg). President Phan Anh Son emphasized: "The relationship between the two countries has been tested by time and has been cultivated by many generations and people, and has been constantly strengthened." Over the past 70 years, the two countries have achieved many results in cooperation from politics, foreign affairs, defense, security, economy, trade, investment to science and technology, education and especially people-to-people exchange. "Looking back over the past 5 years, there have been many high-level delegations from the two countries visiting each other. This is a clear demonstration of the development of Vietnam-Russia relations," said Mr. Son. During the people-to-people exchange, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son said that Vietnam and Russia have coordinated to organize many activities to celebrate the National Day and anniversaries of the two countries, seminars, book publishing and translation, delegation exchanges... Currently, there are about 20 pairs of relationships between localities of the two countries established, especially between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Thua Thien Hue, Ninh Binh and Moscow, Saint-Petersburg... Organizations under the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations also coordinate with Russian partners, especially the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, which has introduced many delegations of Vietnamese localities to work, learn, and expand cooperation with Russian enterprises. Regarding education, in Hanoi there is the Russian Center for Science and Culture, which annually provides Vietnam with about 1,000 scholarships. The Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association has signed an agreement with Herzen State Pedagogical University to promote people-to-people exchange, popularize and promote Russian culture and language in Vietnam and Vietnamese language and culture in Russia.

Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son presented a painting of Hanoi to Russian Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko.

“We have determined that in the relationship between Vietnam and the Russian Federation, with the responsibility of those working in people's diplomacy, in addition to continuing to strengthen the relationship, we must also deepen and expand relations with other partners of Russia,” Mr. Phan Anh Son emphasized. He said that for the first time, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations together with Russian partners will organize the first Vietnam - Russian Federation People's Forum in 2025 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. After that, the forum will be held annually in Vietnam or Russia.