Vietnamese veterans in Russia (Photo: vov.vn)
As a voluntary soldier from 1968, Mr. Phung Van Dan participated in the Khe Sanh, Road 9 – Southern Laos and Quang Tri campaigns. He is a wounded soldier. After the resistance war, he was demobilized in 1988 and appointed to Russia to manage labourers under a Vietnam – Soviet Union Cooperation Decree.
After the Soviet Union collapsed, he continued living in Ulianovsk city to create conditions for his children to go to Russia to study.
Mr. Dang Minh Duong participated in fighting in the Western region and Central Highlands, and was as a voluntary soldier fighting in Cambodia and Laos.
“My army life was lived in forest. I am honoured that we, the soldiers, came from all over the country but we consider each other as siblings,” he said.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Loc has been in Russia under a labour cooperation agreement since 1988. He has been active in community activities. He appreciated the active participation of veterans in Ulianovsk.
Mr. Trinh Van Que, Head of the Overseas Vietnamese Association "Solidarity" in Ulianovsk, said that many years ago, on the occasion of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day, the association often held a meeting to remember the old memories, and invited Russian veterans who worked in Vietnam. Later, many people returned to Vietnam or moved to other places, and such meetings were interrupted.
“This year, on the occasion of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day and May Day, we intend to organize an exchange between veterans, workers working for the Soviet Union and those who go to Russia to do business,” he said.
The activity will help the younger generation, born and raised far from the homeland, have more knowledge about the history of the country and feel more attached to their homeland, although they have little chance to return Vietnam./.