Petr Tsvetov: Passing on Future of Russia-Vietnam Friendship to the Younger Generation
	New Momentum for the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

With 24 presentations covering diverse topics ranging from science, education, and healthcare to cultural exchanges and trade, the First Vietnam-Russia People’s Forum in Hanoi left a strong impression with a series of concrete recommendations, laying the groundwork for the second forum to be held in Saint Petersburg (Russia) in 2026.

The event was attended by President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son; leaders of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association; Vyacheslav Kalganov, Vice Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Committee for External Relations; along with representatives from ministries, agencies, socio-political organizations, localities, intellectuals, scholars, businesses, and people’s organizations of both countries.

In his concluding remarks, Nguyen Quoc Hung highlighted that the Forum’s success stemmed from the participation of managers, scientists, intellectuals, artists, entrepreneurs, doctors, and a large number of Vietnamese friends. The open and cohesive atmosphere among delegates, together with the warm reception from the Hanoian people, gave the First Vietnam-Russia People’s Forum its own distinctive character.

Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of the Fund for the Promotion of Russia–Vietnam Cooperation “Tradition and Friendship,” delivers the closing remarks. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Nguyen Quoc Hung reviewed the prominent outcomes of the Forum’s four thematic workshops, which produced numerous initiatives and practical proposals for cooperation in science, technology, healthcare, economy, trade, law, education, and culture. Notable recommendations included: establishing direct flights from Saint Petersburg to Vietnamese localities; the Russian side considering visa exemptions for Vietnamese citizens; promoting short-term student exchanges between universities of the two countries; and supporting the establishment of a “Vietnam House” in Saint Petersburg as a hub for cultural, educational, and people-to-people cooperation.

A highlight of the Forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Friendship Hospital (Vietnam) and the Napalkov Oncology Center (Russia), opening up prospects for extensive collaboration in cancer treatment and medical workforce training.

According to Nguyen Quoc Hung, the Forum was successful in three dimensions: realizing President Ho Chi Minh’s principle of “winning people’s hearts through diplomacy”; inheriting the achievements of people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries; and adopting a creative, modern approach to generate new momentum for Vietnam-Russia people-to-people relations.

Sharing this view, Do Xuan Hoang, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Organizations in the Russian Federation, noted that the Forum truly embodied the spirit of a people’s forum: diverse perspectives, yet united by a bond of affection and the desire to contribute to bilateral relations.

Do Xuan Hoang, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Organizations in the Russian Federation. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

At the closing session, Vyacheslav Kalganov, Vice Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Committee for External Relations, announced that the city would host the Second Vietnam-Russia People’s Forum in October 2026. He also expressed interest in two major proposals: erecting a monument to Soviet and Vietnamese experts in either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and naming a street in Vietnam after the city of Leningrad, similar to the commemoration in Dien Bien in March this year. He stressed that the Forum should generate tangible outcomes that directly serve the interests of the peoples of both countries.

Vyacheslav Kalganov, Vice Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Committee for External Relations, speaks at the closing session. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In his closing address, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son affirmed that the Forum had fulfilled its set objectives and served as a valuable experience to better prepare for the second edition.

He emphasized that Vietnam-Russia relations are special, built over 75 years on the foundation of deep affection between the two peoples. Even many Vietnamese who have never set foot in Russia still cherish the country, its culture, music, and people - an invaluable foundation that must be preserved and further promoted.

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son delivers the closing remarks at the First Vietnam-Russia People’s Forum. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Against the backdrop of global uncertainty, President Phan Anh Son stressed that Vietnam-Russia people-to-people cooperation must both uphold traditions and foster more practical and effective collaboration, in line with the development orientation of the comprehensive strategic partnership and the guidance of the two countries’ senior leaders. He noted that current bilateral trade turnover, at about USD 4.6 billion in 2024, remains modest compared to potential, and should be further expanded through business partnerships, local-to-local connections, and cultural exchanges.

Priority areas include science, technology, digital transformation, culture, and the arts, as well as cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies, particularly through the active involvement of universities, research institutes, and relevant agencies.

Phan Anh Son added that Vietnam would aim to diversify the composition of its delegation to the Second Vietnam-Russia People’s Forum in Russia. The Organizing Committee will carefully review lessons learned, build on strengths, and address limitations to ensure that the next Forum is more effective, of higher quality, and with stronger impact.

New Momentum for the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership At the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin ...

First Vietnam-Russia People’s Forum: Dialogue Mechanism to Deepen Bilateral Friendship On September 30 in Hanoi, a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation and the ...