Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the opening ceremony of the Vietnam - Russia Cross Year

Within the framework of the official visit to the Russian Federation, last night (May 22), local time (ie the night of May 22, Vietnam time), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev attended the opening ceremony of the Vietnam - Russia Cross Year (Vietnam Year in Russia and Russia Year in Vietnam). The ceremony was attended by about 700 delegates including leaders of the Government, ministries, branches, associations, unions, businesses and people of many generations of the two countries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the Vietnam-Russia relationship is a close, loyal, and profound brotherly friendship that has gone through many ups and downs in history, from the difficult years of war to defending the Fatherland to building a prosperous and developed country.

The Prime Minister recalled that 25 years ago, Vietnam and the Russian Federation, a powerful power in the world, signed a Treaty on the basic principles of friendly relations, opening a new stage of development in the relationship between the two countries.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of this event and towards the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries decided to organize the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam in 2019 and 2020 with the desire to further strengthen the good traditional brotherly friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

With that meaning, the Prime Minister emphasized that this is an event of great significance in the history of Vietnam - Russia relations with hundreds of exchange activities to celebrate the friendship and vibrant promotional seminars to be held between many localities of Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

In addition to the special art performance program, the public of the two countries will have many new experiences about the country, culture and people of Vietnam and Russia such as tourism, cuisine, cinema, painting... promising to bring multi-dimensional perspectives on contemporary life as well as the rich history of the relationship.

The Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam will feature many commemorative activities and in-depth exchanges to honor and preserve the tradition of friendship between the two peoples, which is the solid foundation of the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. A typical example is the two countries organizing for the first time a large-scale youth forum in both Russia and Vietnam, creating conditions for the young generations of the two countries to enhance mutual understanding, thereby forever fueling the loyal Vietnam-Russia relationship.

In addition, the Prime Minister said that the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam will be an opportunity for substantive and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Russia in all fields. Exchanges and contacts between ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries will be promoted to seek new breakthroughs for bilateral cooperation. In addition, a series of trade and investment promotion activities will be held in Russia and Vietnam, contributing to connecting and expanding cooperation between businesses of the two countries.

"Many Vietnamese people still have beautiful memories of the land and people of Russia with a tolerant, close and friendly heart. I believe that, after the events of the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam, more and more people of our two countries will choose Vietnam and the Russian Federation as a place to work, travel and study for themselves and their families, as well as more and more businesses of the two countries will find opportunities to do business and cooperate together, contributing to bringing the Vietnam - Russia comprehensive strategic partnership deeper and more effective, to forever shine the loyal and pure feelings between our two peoples and two countries," Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasized.

Speaking at the ceremony, Russian Prime Minister Medvedev said that this event took place during the period of commemorating meaningful and memorable days - the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the fundamental principles of friendly relations between Russia and Vietnam and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The cross-year is a great initiative, affirming the special and multifaceted nature of Russia-Vietnam cooperation and the determination of both sides to tighten and consolidate this relationship by all means.

The Russian Prime Minister stressed that it is important that over the past decades, the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples have been continuously strengthened. Russia treasures and preserves the common history of the two countries.

Recalling Russia's solidarity and support for the Vietnamese people during the heroic years of resistance for freedom and independence and for its assistance in the country's post-war recovery, Prime Minister Medvedev expressed that Russia is truly pleased with the successes of Vietnamese friends in economic and social development, strengthening the country's prestige in the international arena.

"For us, it is very important that in Vietnam you love and appreciate culture, classical and modern art, Russian culture. And Russians are increasingly discovering for themselves the rich history, traditional painting and music of Vietnam, first of all, during their trips to the wonderful country of Vietnam. Last year alone, more than 600,000 Russians came to Vietnam. Our people are always warmly welcomed by you. Today, young Vietnamese people still enjoy learning Russian, studying and researching in Russia," said Russian Prime Minister Medvedev.

The Russian Prime Minister believes that the exhibitions, concerts, film screenings and other activities within the framework of the “Cross Years” program will bring people of the two countries a good opportunity to better understand the cultural traditions of the two nations and become closer; the upcoming “Cross Years” will become a new bright page in the history of Russia-Vietnam relations.

At the ceremony, the two Prime Ministers and a large audience enjoyed a special art program with the theme “My Homeland - Vietnam” performed by Vietnamese artists. With the support of traditional musical instruments and illustrations, it created a great resonance, attracting the audience, especially the performances that blended the melodies of Russian songs with Vietnamese traditional musical instruments./.