The event drew hundreds of lecturers, students, and experts from leading Russian universities, many of which have strong Vietnamese language programmes.

The academy once again became a vibrant platform for Russian students passionate about the Vietnamese language, offering them an opportunity to compete, exchange knowledge, and demonstrate their linguistic skills while preserving a meaningful educational and cultural tradition.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Marina Chirgashova, head of Language Training at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), noted that the knowledge and skills students acquire today would soon be applied across various fields of cooperation. She praised participants for their determination and courage, emphasising that Vietnamese is a particularly challenging language to master.

Nguyen Quoc Hung, director of the Russia–Vietnam cooperation development support fund, underlined that professional translation in political and social contexts is an “art of understanding,” requiring precise word choices to convey ideas, values, and perspectives across cultures. He stressed that translation, linguistics, and academic exchange serve as vital foundations for enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Russia.

Following preliminary rounds, 21 contestants from six universities advanced to the final, which included a written test on Vietnamese language proficiency, business communication etiquette, and diplomatic protocol, as well as a live interpreting segment. Within just 40 seconds, participants performed bidirectional interpretation between Russian and Vietnamese on political, social, and diplomatic topics.

The judging panel comprised experienced interpreters and diplomats, offering professional inspiration to future Vietnamese studies specialists. Top prizes were awarded across undergraduate and postgraduate categories, alongside special awards for pronunciation, translation accuracy, and interpreting fluency.

Among the winners, Alla Artyomovna, a third-year student at Moscow State Linguistic University (MSLU), received the award for outstanding pronunciation. She shared her deep passion for Vietnamese, noting that despite initial challenges due to unfamiliar phonetics, her five-month internship in Vietnam strengthened her commitment to further study and long-term engagement with the country.

Over the past five years, the contest has become a launchpad for specialised translation training, fostering academic excellence, cultural exchange, and a new generation of Russian experts in Vietnamese language and studies. More broadly, it continues to contribute to deepening bilateral cooperation and people-to-people ties between Vietnam and Russia.

This year’s contest was hosted by the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) in coordination with the Russkiy Mir Foundation, the Russia–Vietnam Friendship Association, and the Russia–Vietnam cooperation development support fund.

Vietnam pushes long-term vision in ties with Russia during PM’s official visit

VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is set to lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation on an official visit to Russia from March 22 to 25 at the invitation of his counterpart Mikhail Mishustin, aimed at deepening comprehensive cooperation and shaping a long-term vision for bilateral relations.