The event was jointly organised by the Embassy of Vietnam in Russia, the St. Petersburg Committee for External Relations, the St. Petersburg State University of Economics, and the “Tradition and Friendship” Fund for Russia-Vietnam cooperation.

Attending the opening ceremony were Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi; Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council Phung Thi Hong Ha; Deputy Chairman of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly Nikolai Bondarenko; Deputy Chairman of the St. Petersburg Committee for External Relations Vyacheslav Kalganov; and Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Organisations in Russia Do Xuan Hoang, among others.

Speaking at the event, Khoi stressed that economic cooperation between Vietnam and Russia is entering a new phase with promising opportunities for growth. He praised this year’s programme for combining a business roundtable, a youth business forum and traditional cultural and culinary activities, creating both an academic platform for dialogue and an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding between the two countries' people.

The ambassador noted that cooperation between St. Petersburg and Vietnamese localities has recently emerged as an effective model for expanding local-to-local partnerships. He added that Leningrad Oblast is also seeking to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and economic ties with Vietnamese provinces and cities.

For his part, Vyacheslav Kalganov affirmed that the St. Petersburg Committee for External Relations attaches great importance to strengthening Russia–Vietnam friendship and stands ready to support Vietnamese partners in promoting bilateral cooperation. He highlighted positive results achieved in tourism, healthcare and services, describing the Vietnam Economic Day as a practical platform for direct dialogue and new partnership opportunities.

A key session of the programme, themed “Russia–Vietnam: Economic Cooperation in a New Environment,” featured discussions among academics, business leaders and economic experts on bilateral trade, investment and educational cooperation. Participants exchanged research findings, practical experiences and assessments of emerging opportunities for joint projects.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondents in Moscow, Dmitry Vasilenko, Vice Rector for International Affairs at St. Petersburg State University of Economics, highlighted the seminar as the university’s first event dedicated to Vietnam’s economy. He noted that discussions extended beyond bilateral cooperation to broader global opportunities, particularly as Vietnam remains one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and an important gateway for Russia to the dynamic ASEAN market.

Vietnam Week in St. Petersburg is scheduled to run through May 24, featuring cultural and language festivals, book fairs and activities marking the 136th birth anniversary of late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890-2026).

Hanoi, Saint Petersburg seek more substantive cooperation

A delegation from Hanoi led by Phung Thi Hong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Council, held a working session with the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg on May 18 during their working visit to Russia.