The visits were announced by Vietnamese Ambassador Bui Dinh Dinh at a press meeting in Moscow on January 26 on the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (January 30).

He highlighted the huge leaps forwards as well as bright prospects of bilateral relations between the two strategic partners, citing a surge in trade revenues from US$1.64 billion in 2008 to over US$1.7 billion in 2009 despite the global economic downturn.

An estimated 52,000 Vietnamese have graduated from universities or vocational colleges and defended doctorates in the former Soviet Union and Russia.

Representatives from the Russian mass media praised the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation partnership of mutual interest between the two countries. They highlighted Vietnamese people’s industriousness and hospitality, the country’s beautiful sceneries and its achievements in national defence and construction. 

Journalist Elena Rubsova from the Russian newswire ITAR-TASS called on the Russian press to widely cover Vietnam which she described as a “wonderful” country.

Meanwhile, journalist Maya Lavrova from the Russian Country TV channel recalled her impression upon Vietnam during her recent shooting of the country. She informed people of the current screening of the films about Vietnam through two programmes, My Journey and Good Morning. 

Evgheny Kobelev from the Institute of Oriental Studies and the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association presented the Vietnamese Ambassador with a history book titled “Soviet Union-Russia-Vietnam, 60 years of existence and development”.