Deep love between two leaders' homelands

(Baonghean) - Up to now, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries on all continents, and has normal relations with all major countries. In particular, there are 10 countries that maintain strategic partnerships with Vietnam, including the deep relationship between Ulyanovsk, the hometown of VI Lenin, and Nghe An, the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh.

Delegation of Nghe An province leaders together with leaders of neighboring provinces and cities in front of the statue of Uncle Ho placed at Ho Chi Minh Square in Ulyanovsk, September 2014.

The Russian Federation is the country with which Vietnam has maintained the longest-term strategic partnership (since 2001) and is also the first country to be upgraded to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership. In fact, the good relationship between Vietnam and the Russian Federation has a longer history than the above milestones. The friendly relations between the provinces and cities of the two countries are a testament to the deep relationship whose foundation was laid by none other than President Ho Chi Minh. As the homeland of beloved Uncle Ho, Nghe An province has been actively promoting cooperative relations with the Russian Federation, specifically with Ulyanovsk province, the homeland of leader Lenin - as a way to express respect and gratitude to the outstanding leaders, while demonstrating the awareness and responsibility to inherit and promote the diplomatic foundation of future generations.

Long term relationshipbetween Nghe An - Ulyanovsk…

Before the 1990s, Nghe An province and Ulyanovsk province of the Russian Federation (then the Soviet Union) established cooperative relations. This was also the golden age of the relationship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union, when every year a series of Vietnamese cadres, students and pupils went to the Soviet Union to study and in return, delegations of cadres and experts from the neighboring country were also sent to support the Vietnamese people in the process of rebuilding and building the country after two wars. For example, in Nghe An province, thousands of cadres and workers went to work in Uoat, Kamas automobile factories, construction, leather shoes, food joint ventures, etc. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the cooperative relationship between the two provinces was temporarily suspended until 2006. Thanks to the help of the Vietnamese Embassy in the Russian Federation and the Vietnamese Association in Ulyanovsk province, the two provinces resumed their cooperative relationship during the visit and work of a high-ranking delegation of Nghe An province. An official cooperation agreement was signed here, paving the way for a strong relationship.

In particular, Ulyanovsk Province has proactively expressed its goodwill to further strengthen the relationship between the two sides by: in 2011, through the Vietnamese Embassy, ​​Ulyanovsk Province sent an invitation to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An Province to visit, and at the same time proposed to introduce a Vietnamese City to establish direct relations, supporting the development of cooperation between Ulyanovsk City and the neighboring city in the fields of economy, culture and education. In 2012, an official dispatch was issued to notify the People's Committee of Nghe An Province to approve the establishment of cooperation between Ulyanovsk City and Vinh City. Thus, the relationship between the two provinces from here opened a new page, raising it to a deeper and closer level.

In a letter from Ms. Marina Pavlovna Bespalova - Mayor of Ulyanovsk City to comrade Ho Duc Phoc, Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee on November 13, 2014, the head of the neighboring city said that he was considering and discussing the placement of the "Vietnam Trade Center" within the city. In particular, there was a paragraph in the letter that said "We respectfully request that you inform us of the desired plan to appoint a representative of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Ulyanovsk City, with full authority to support the project".

Through this, it shows the respect and trust of your province and city towards Nghe An province in particular and Vietnam in general. In response to the Mayor of the city, comrade Ho Duc Phoc replied: "Nghe An province authorizes Mr. Trinh Van Que, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese "Solidarity" of Ulyanovsk City to be the representative, responsible for the construction of the Trade Center" and "Proposes that your city allocate land for the association to design, build and pay the costs". That activity deepens the friendship and cooperation between the two sides, creates conditions for the Vietnamese community living in your province, and strengthens the connection between those who are far away from home and their homeland and roots.

…Originated from a"coincidence" of history?

Perhaps we all ask the question: Why Ulyanovsk? An interesting coincidence is that both Nghe An and Ulyanovsk are the cradles of outstanding revolutionary leaders in the world, who made great contributions to the October Revolution in Russia and the August Revolution in Vietnam.

Comrade VI Lenin, whose real name is VIUlyanovsk, was born on April 22, 1870 in Simbirsk City (later renamed Ulyanovsk City to honor this heroic son), Ulyanovsk Province. President Ho Chi Minh, whose birth name is Nguyen Sinh Cung, was born on May 19, 1890 in Kim Lien, Nam Dan (Nghe An). Both were outstanding thinkers, the pioneers of two revolutions that changed the face and history of two countries.

An interesting point is that there was no real connection or direct contact between these two historical figures, but it was the similarities and intersections in ideology, as well as the respect that President Ho Chi Minh had for Leader Lenin that created a parallel image of the two leaders, deeply engraved in the subconscious of later generations.

By following the path and model of the Russian October Revolution, President Ho Chi Minh chose Russia as the greatest friend of the Vietnamese people. In return, through the ups and downs of history, the deep friendship and charity between the two sides has been demonstrated, and Russia - in its role as the elder brother - has always supported and backed Vietnam to move forward on the path of construction and development. Up to the present time, it can be said that the Russia - Vietnam relationship is the most durable and also the most stable relationship. As commented by Major General, Associate Professor, Doctor Le Van Cuong - Former Director of the Institute of Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Public Security: "History has proven that Russia is a great friend, an ally that Vietnam can always trust and must preserve this relationship by all means".

Honoring history and respecting each other, Ulyanovsk and Nghe An provinces have agreed to build and name two roads in the two countries after the two great leaders. For Nghe An, it is VILenin Avenue, inaugurated in February 2007, connecting to the road leading to Ho Chi Minh Square in the center of Vinh City. In Ulyanovsk City, the planning for the construction of the Square and the Monument of President Ho Chi Minh (currently a bronze bust donated by Nghe An Province in 2007) has been completed. Running along the length of the square is Ho Chi Minh Avenue, 3 km long. It is expected that the complex of works will be completed on the occasion of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, September 2, 2015.

During his visit to Nghe An in early November 2014, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Vietnam Andrey G. Kovtun once again affirmed the deep affection that the Russian people have for the Vietnamese people in general and the people of Nghe An in particular: “As countries that have experienced many ups and downs, and walked together on the same historical path, more than anyone else, we understand and love each other, respect and promote each other's traditional, historical and cultural values. That is the most solid foundation possible for a friendly and cooperative relationship. On behalf of the Russian people and the people of Ulyanovsk province, I would like to send my warmest regards to the people of Nghe An in particular and the people of Vietnam in general.

Visiting the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh, I respectfully bow to the talented leader, who also laid the first foundation for our friendly diplomatic relationship. The Ambassador's sincere sentiment was received by Comrade Ho Duc Phoc, Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, on behalf of the people of the province. He also affirmed: "Nghe An in particular and Vietnam in general highly respect and are determined to preserve this precious relationship". Precious not only because of the good and well-intentioned actions from both sides but also because of a historical coincidence. The coincidence has become a source of pride and motivation to bring us closer together on the path of diplomacy and integration with international friends.

Thuc Anh