In his speech at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha praised the organisers for launching the inaugural forum, emphasising that the forum represents a practical contribution of people-to-people diplomacy in implementing the major directions of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia. It also opens a new chapter and provides an effective dialogue mechanism for deepening mutual understanding and trust between the peoples of both countries.

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the enduring and close friendship between the Vietnamese and Russian peoples forged through history, tested by time, and nurtured by generations of leaders and citizens from both countries.

He recalled that during the most challenging times for Vietnam, when the young Democratic Republic of Vietnam was in the midst of its struggle against French colonialism, the Soviet Union was one of the first countries to officially recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on January 30, 1950.

He noted that the marks of Vietnam-Russia friendship are deeply imprinted across the country. With the assistance of Russian experts, Vietnam transitioned from an underdeveloped agricultural nation to building modern economic sectors. Iconic projects such as the Thang Long Bridge and Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant stand not only as symbols of industrialisation but also as immortal emblems of Vietnam-Russia friendship. Cooperation in the oil and gas sector, spearheaded by joint ventures like Vietsovpetro and later Rusvietpetro, has become a key pillar delivering strategic benefits to both countries.

Today, cooperation continues to expand and diversify across many fields. Vietnamese enterprises, such as TH True Milk Group with its US$2.7 billion investment project in Russia, contribute not only to the host country's economic development but also further strengthen a comprehensive, practical, and deepening partnership.

At the event, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko emphasised the critical role of people-to-people diplomacy in the current context. He affirmed that such diplomacy has helped foster friendship, enhance mutual understanding, support bilateral projects and cooperation programs, and reinforce international relations.

The ambassador expressed confidence that the first Vietnam-Russia People’s Forum would help maintain a friendly, trusting, and understanding atmosphere between the peoples of Vietnam and Russia.

Meanwhile, Phan Anh Sơn, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, highlighted the vital role of friendship organisations, including the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, as special and strong bridges. These organisations contribute to solidifying the social foundation of bilateral relations and help embed Vietnam-Russia friendship deeply into the lives and hearts of the peoples of both countries.

The inaugural Vietnam-Russia People’s Forum is an opportunity to reflect on 75 years of bilateral relations, affirm fundamental values and principles of friendship, brotherhood, solidarity, and mutual support. It aims to exchange measures to promote people-to-people exchanges, strengthen trust and understanding between the two countries, and discuss potential cooperation areas.

It also focuses on the role of people’s diplomacy in fields such as science and technology, health care, economy, trade, tourism, culture, education, arts, grassroots-level exchanges, and local cooperation.

The forum is also a platform for both sides to deepen understanding of each other’s countries, peoples, and cultures, encouraging localities, civil society organisations, associations, businesses, intellectuals, and youth from both countries to expand cooperative connections.

Party chief highlights role of parliamentary ties in forging Vietnam-Russia ties

VOV.VN - Party General Secretary To Lam has underscored the importance of parliamentary cooperation as a key channel to strengthen political trust and advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.