Viet Nam Times Magazine respectfully introduces the content of the letter from Evgeny Grigoriev, Member of the Government of Saint Petersburg and Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg:

Evgeny Grigoriev, Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg, speaks at the first Viet Nam-Russia People's Forum in Hanoi on September 30, 2025. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

On behalf of the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg and in my personal capacity, I am honored to extend my sincere congratulations to you and all delegates attending the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations on this momentous occasion, which marks a new stage of development in the Union's people-to-people diplomacy.

The enduring friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our two countries, forged through the sacrifices and courage of the peoples of both countries, are today reaching unprecedented heights. The longstanding friendship between Russia and Viet Nam, built on a foundation of mutual respect and trust, is a model of sincere interstate cooperation in the modern world.

The workshop “People-to-people exchanges and local cooperation” held as part of the first Viet Nam-Russia People's Forum in Hanoi on October 1, 2025. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg is proud to have the opportunity to contribute to strengthening Russia-Viet Nam relations. We particularly value the effective coordination between our two organizations, which has become a symbol of the enduring solidarity between the peoples of our two countries.

As we approach the new five-year period of 2026-2031, we firmly believe that the upcoming Congress will serve as an important forum for discussing strategically significant policies aimed at bringing greater prosperity to our two countries.

Please allow me to express my profound respect for your noble dedication and wish the Congress every success. I wish all delegates abundant energy, many wise decisions and new achievements for the benefit of the peoples of Russia and Viet Nam, our close and brotherly nations!

Member of the Government of Saint Petersburg

Chairman of the Committee

E.D. Grigoriev

Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations to Hold National Congress The 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), for the 2026-2031 term, is scheduled to take place on September 14 in Ha Noi. The Congress will be held under the theme “Proactive adaptation - Breakthrough innovation - Practical effectiveness.”

International Friends and Partners Congratulate Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations’ Congress Amid the country’s ongoing process of renewal and advancement, the 7th National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, for the 2026-2031 term, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Union in carrying out people-to-people diplomacy. Ahead of the Congress, international friends and partners from many regions have sent letters and messages of congratulations, recognizing the Union’s contributions and expressing their desire to continue working alongside it in the years ahead.