General Secretary To Lam: Fostering the increasingly strong Vietnam-Belarus friendship
Within the framework of the State visit to the Republic of Belarus from May 11-12, 2025, on the afternoon of May 11 (local time), General Secretary To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation met with the Belarusian Association for Friendship and Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries, the Belarus-Vietnam Friendship Association and former Belarusian experts who have helped Vietnam.

Speaking at the meeting, General Secretary To Lam expressed his joy and emotion at meeting with Belarusian comrades and friends - whose hearts are always attached to Vietnam, including experts who have devoted much effort, hard work and enthusiasm to supporting Vietnam during difficult years.
The General Secretary emphasized that over the past 30 years since Vietnam and Belarus established diplomatic relations in 1992, despite many difficulties and challenges, the solidarity and friendship between the people of the two countries has always been strong, warm and trustworthy. This is a valuable asset of the two nations. Vietnam consistently values the traditional friendship with Belarus; wishes to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in all fields, for the common interests of the two countries, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. The Vietnamese people will never forget the strong support and wholehearted assistance that the Government and people of the former Soviet Union and present-day Belarus have given to the Vietnamese people in the past struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as in the current cause of national construction and defense.

The General Secretary stated that, based on its historical experience, Vietnam attaches great importance to the role of the people in fostering and building a peaceful and stable environment for development; highly appreciates the efforts and active contributions of people's organizations of the two countries in coordinating the implementation of many people-to-people exchange activities and meaningful projects, contributing to strengthening friendship, mutual understanding, and promoting cooperation between the two peoples.
Welcoming the dynamic, creative and practical activities of the Belarusian Association for Friendship and Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries and the Belarus-Vietnam Friendship Association in recent times, the General Secretary suggested that the Belarusian Association for Friendship and Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries and the Belarus-Vietnam Friendship Association actively coordinate with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Belarus Friendship Association to continue organizing more diverse and in-depth exchange activities, attracting more participation from all walks of life, scientists, businesses and especially the young generation, helping the young generations of the two countries to increasingly understand and connect with each other in order to foster the friendship between the people of Vietnam and Belarus. The associations and federations promote introduction activities, acting as a bridge for a number of universities, professional organizations and businesses of the two countries to build cooperative relations in the fields of education-training, culture, trade-investment, etc.

The General Secretary emphasized that people's organizations are important factors in preserving history and passing on to future generations the steadfast, loyal friendship and close cooperation between the people of the two countries, contributing to consolidating and further developing the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Belarus.
*Earlier, in the afternoon of the same day, General Secretary To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation visited and laid flowers at the Victory Monument in Minsk, Belarus. This is where Belarusians as well as tourists from all over the world come to visit and commemorate those who sacrificed their lives in the Great Patriotic War.

The Victory Monument with 4 sides carved with images of Victory Day (May 9, 1945), honoring the fallen heroes and the Soviet army during the years of the Great Patriotic War. The 40m high Victory Monument was erected on the square in 1954 and in 1961, the eternal flame was lit at the foot of the monument. The 4 sides of the monument were carved by Belarusian sculptors with images of Victory Day (May 9, 1945), Belarusian party members, honoring the fallen heroes and the Soviet army during the years of the Great Patriotic War.