Overseas Vietnamese pay tribute to former Russian military experts serving in Vietnam

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

A ceremony was held in St. Petersburg to pay tribute to former military experts of the Soviet Union (Russia now) who supported Vietnam during the resistance war against the US, on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 32nd anniversary of the All-People National Defense Day (December 22).

Speaking at the event, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of the Russian-Vietnamese Cooperation Development Fund "Tradition and Friendship", expressed gratitude towards Russian military experts who rendered services in Vietnam during the war, and worked alongside the Vietnam People’s Army and Vietnamese people to overcome difficulties, making great contributions to Russia-Vietnam relations.

At the ceremony, Colonel Tran Tien Phuong, Vietnam's Defence Attaché in Russia, said that during the recent visit to Russia, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang held a meeting with former Soviet Union military experts and thanked the Russian people, including Russian veterans, for supporting Vietnam during the past struggle for national independence and reunification. He expressed delight at the growing defence partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

Moreover, Russian veterans highlighted the loyal friendship of Vietnamese people, affirming that they will continue to work for stronger ties between Russia and Vietnam.

At the event, architect Anatoly Chernov and his daughter Lada Chernova, who designed the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in St. Petersburg, briefed participants on the design of the 5.25m-high statue, which features the late leader sitting with a book i     n his hand.

The construction of the statue is scheduled to be submitted to the city for approval on December 22, and completed in 2023 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s first arrival in Russia./.