Addressing the event, Mr Avdeev said Vietnam and Russia are striving to strengthen cooperation in cultural and other fields. In 2007, Hanoi and HCM City successfully hosted Russia’s cultural days in Vietnam, he said.

The opening ceremony’s special art programme received enthusiastic applause and admiration from the Russian audience. One Russian, who used to work in the cultural sector, said: “It’s so great with Vietnamese soloists singing in Russian so beautifully. The Vietnamese young women are beautiful, too. Thank you very much.”

** On the same day, the Russian Contemporary History Museum opened an exhibition entitled “Vietnam’s cultural space”, featuring more than 200 photos and objects such as Vietnam’s traditional costumes and musical instruments.