In the story, Secretary of the KPRF Central Committee Dmitri Novikov and first Deputy Editor-in-chief of the Truth newspaper Boris Komoski recalled their recent visit to Vietnam. They were impressed by the dynamism and the daily hectic life of the Vietnamese people. They saw that motorcycles had replaced bicycles to become the main means of transport while construction sites for high-rise buildings were appearing in many places as positive proof of improvement in the people’s living standards.

They spoke of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s sound leadership in developing a socialist-oriented market economy that started in 1986. They also mentioned the difficulties Vietnam is facing due to high inflation, high population growth and a widening gap between rich and poor.

Dmitri Novikov and Boris Komoski said that during their trip to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau province, they felt that the Vietnamese people were grateful towards the former Soviet Union for its valuable assistance in the past.