The song lyrics seem to recall the youthful years in Leningrad. Photo: Hoang Yen

Recently, on the occasion of Professor Sergey Tarasov, rector of the State Pedagogical University of Russia named after A.I. Herzen (Herzen University), coming to work in Vietnam, the Vietnamese alumni have held a meeting with the principal at the Hanoi-based Vietnam National University on April 17.

The meeting attracted the participation of nearly 100 alumni living in Hanoi and neighboring provinces.

At the meeting, Prof. Tarasov informed some of the current situations of the university and shared his sentiments about seeing a large number of Vietnamese alumni, doctoral students, and interns gathering at the event.

The professor expressed his joy and pride that the former students of Herzen University, all these years, have all applied the knowledge acquired at the school to effectively serve the cause of the resistance war to protect their Fatherland and the construction of the development of Vietnam.

He was especially touched by the close, warm, and deep affection that Herzen University alumni have for the school in general and for him personally in particular.

Prof. Tarasov hopes that in the future, more alumni meetings will be held. This is not only an opportunity for generations of students to celebrate old moments or old relationships but also contributes to fostering a love for Russia and its people for the younger generation.

Currently, the Russian Ministry of Education in general, and Herzen University, in particular, are very interested in teaching Russian at educational institutions in Vietnam; and generations of alumni will connect and support the university's projects.

For many former students, this is a rare opportunity for them to meet their old teachers and friends after more than 30 years, and interact with fellow students. As time went by, the aged set of photos was not intact with time, the young people in their twenties at that time, now become respected members of society. But the memories of the youth days in Leningrad City and Herzen University are still intact in the memories of generations of former students.

The student card has always been carefully preserved by Nguyen Huu Hop for more than 40 years. Recalling his student memories, he said he was fortunate to study in Leningrad (now Saint Peterburg) - the most beautiful city in Russia.

"After graduating, and returning home, I brought the pedagogical knowledge learned at Herzen University to contribute to Vietnamese education. The beautiful city of Leningrad, and the good Russian people, will forever be in my mind.”

The student card has always been carefully preserved by Nguyen Huu Hop for more than 40 years. Photo: Hoang Yen

In 2017, Hop returned to Leningrad city, visited Herzen University, met his teacher Elena Vasilevna and spent a night in the dormitory, sleeping in his former bed.

Regarding student memories in Leningrad, Mai Quang Huy, a former resident reporter of the Vietnam News Agency in Russia, immediately remembers his dormitory roommate Sasha Gertsik.

“After the winter break, Sasha returned from Belarus to Leningrad and brought me a jar of jam that his mother made herself. For me, it's a simple gift from the countryside but full of affection," journalist Mai Quang Huy shared.

In 2015, Huy and Sasha Gertsik met again through a social network for alumni who know Russian. After more than 30 years, their friendship during their student years still are unblemished despite many ups and downs.

In a warm and sincere atmosphere, Russian and Vietnamese teachers and students sang together. The nostalgic lyrics of "Evening Song", "Katyusha" and "Song Of Restless Youth" songs are reminiscent of their youth years in Leningrad, the walks on Nevsky Avenue, and the sightseeing on the Neva River.

Rector Sergey Tarasov took a souvenir photo with former students of Herzen University. Photo: Hoang Yen

Founded in 1797 in St. Petersburg, the State Pedagogical University of Russia named after A.I. Herzen (Herzen University) is one of the oldest teacher-training institutions in the country.

The university teaches specialists in the spheres of geography, biology, chemistry, tourism, physics, informatics, mathematics, astronomy, foreign languages and linguistics, history, social sciences, pedagogics, phycology, political science, economics, law, philosophy, cultural science, music, fine and applied arts, global art culture, physical science, sport, and many others.

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