Opening of the first Vietnam - Russia People's Forum

On the morning of September 30, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations in coordination with the Saint Petersburg Foreign Affairs Committee (Russian Federation), the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association, the Russia - Vietnam Friendship Association and the Russia - Vietnam Cooperation Development Fund "Tradition and Friendship" held a ceremony to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation and opened the first Vietnam - Russia People's Forum.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Chairman of the Vietnam Subcommittee of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on Economic -Trade and Scientific-Technological Cooperation, speaks. Photo: An Dang/VNA

In his opening speech, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that, with the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source", Vietnam will forever remember and appreciate the great and wholehearted help that the people of the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation today have given to the Vietnamese people during the arduous years of struggle for national independence, as well as in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland today.

Vietnam always attaches special importance to and identifies the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the Russian Federation as one of the top priorities in its foreign policy. With a solid political foundation and determination of senior leaders, the two countries will together continue to write new pages of history, making important contributions to peace and stability in the region and the world...

In that context, the organization of the first Vietnam - Russia People's Forum is of special significance. The Forum is not only a practical contribution of people's diplomacy to the implementation of major orientations of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, but also opens a new chapter, an effective dialogue mechanism to further deepen the understanding and trust between the people of the two countries. This will be a place for people from all walks of life, experts, intellectuals and especially the young generation of the two countries to jointly propose practical initiatives, contributing to deepening and enriching the content of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko speaks. Photo: An Dang/VNA

Speaking at the Forum, Mr. Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Vietnam, highlighted the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in contributing to enhancing understanding, consolidating trust, friendship and cooperation between the people of the two countries; at the same time, he said that the Russian Federation attaches great importance to people-to-people diplomacy. This allows to promote the great creative potential of the masses, promote grassroots initiatives, enhance the role of people in solving urgent problems, and contribute to uniting nations and peoples...

The Russian Federation particularly emphasized the important role of Friendship Associations in promoting the expansion of multifaceted relations between Russia and Vietnam. Over the past decades, the associations have ensured effective cooperation between prestigious scientific centers, universities, cultural and sports organizations, women's, youth and student organizations, trade unions, professional associations, businesses, the press, etc. Today's Forum contributes to maintaining an atmosphere of friendship, trust and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

Ceremony to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation. Photo: An Dang/VNA

Presenting a speech at the Forum, Mr. Do Xuan Hoang, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Organizations in the Russian Federation, assessed that the invaluable asset of the relationship between the two countries is the solid foundation of friendship that we have worked hard to build over the past three-quarters of a century. Vietnam and the Russian Federation still have a lot of room and opportunities for cooperation in areas such as: trade, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure construction, mining, health care and education. The two countries need to promote and realize the potential for cooperation...

The Vietnam-Russia People’s Forum is expected to take place in 1.5 days with discussion sessions 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 situation. Within the framework of the Forum, people-to-people exchange activities and cooperation between localities of the two countries will also be given priority to promote.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/khai-mac-dien-dan-nhan-dan-viet-nga-lan-thu-nhat-20250930132655976.htm