Science, Technology, and Healthcare: New Driver for Vietnam-Russia Cooperation
	Russia 'Actively Preparing' For Putin's India Visit: Kremlin

Book introduction session about Saigon special forces and commandos in Russian. (Photo courtesy of the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association)

This is not the first time the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association has organized a “high-profile” event with broad social impact. Introducing Vietnamese books to Russian audiences and Russian books to Vietnamese readers is one of the Association’s prominent activities aimed at promoting Viet Nam - Russian Federation cultural exchange.

In recent years, the Viet Nam – Russia Friendship Association, in cooperation with Vietnamese and Russian partners, has translated into Vietnamese and published a number of Russian books, such as "The Russians speak about Ho Chi Minh"; the poetry anthology "Wait for me" by Soviet poets on the Great Patriotic War; "Family clan of President V.V. Putin"; as well as publishing the Documents of the National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam; and "The Tale of Kieu " by Nguyen Du in Russian. The book launch events have consistently attracted large audiences and received extensive media coverage in Vietnamese, Russian, and many other languages.

Nguyen Dang Phat – Vice President and Secretary-General of the Viet Nam – Russia Friendship Association, Editor-in-Chief of Bach Duong Magazine.

For more than 75 years, the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation have been preserved and strengthened by the profound affection of the peoples of both countries. From the difficult years of the struggle for independence to the period of national construction and development, the people of Viet Nam have always remembered the sincere and invaluable support of their Russian friends. Today, as global events and international relations change rapidly, unpredictably, and in complex ways, the Viet Nam - Russia friendship remains a lasting value, further nurtured by new and practical forms of cooperation. In this regard, the external information work of the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association plays a particularly important role, serving as a “soft but solid bridge” that helps spread genuine friendship, profound understanding, and mutual trust between the peoples of the two nations.

From communication to action - a shift in external information practices

Whereas external information work was once understood as one-way communication - introduction, or presentation through a specific channel to a specific audience; today, in the context of modern media, this activity has shifted strongly toward “real-life actions as a means of communication.”

Instead of simply disseminating speeches, articles, and one-way information, external information work today must be based on and convey messages from practical activities of social value, organized in a planned and systematic manner by the Viet Nam – Russia Friendship Association, from which the media and the public observe, reflect, share, and spread.

At the 75th Anniversary of the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association, the Association was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Prime Minister for its many achievements in people-to-people diplomacy activities between Viet Nam and the Russian Federation, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Thus, external information is no longer about “speaking into someone’s ear,” but stems from events themselves, “warming up” events in the positive sense of the term, conveying real images and values so that others want to listen, want to speak, want to exchange, and want to retell them in various ways.

Therefore, the core focus is to use concrete activities, cultural, educational, and artistic exchanges, through which the image of the country, its people, and the Viet Nam – Russia friendship can be spread naturally, profoundly, and sustainably.

Information through action: from children’s drawings to the pages of books

In recent years, the Viet Nam – Russia Friendship Association has proactively innovated and organized numerous creative and lively activities that have produced clear results in external communication.

One highlight is the international children’s drawing contest “I Draw Viet Nam – I Draw Russia,” held since 2015, with active participation from schools and art clubs across many provinces and cities in Viet Nam and from various regions of Russia.

Awarding ceremony of the 2024 "I draw Vietnam - I draw Russia" Painting Contest. (Photo: Bach Duong)

More than just an art playground or a talent competition for children, this is a profound people-to-people diplomacy activity, as it opens space and encourages children of Viet Nam and Russia — along with teachers and parents — to learn more about each other’s countries and peoples, effectively helping the younger generations of both nations to connect and bond.

Hundreds of drawings expressing the innocent and pure feelings of young artists have been exhibited and widely presented; dozens of newspapers and social media platforms have reported on the event, shared impressions, and contributed to spreading the spirit of friendship to the broader public.

Thus, external information has been implemented not through forums or slogans, but through concrete activities that carry vitality, emotion, and social resonance.

Friendship exchange of the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association of Dong Nai province in 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association)

Another example, of cultural and intellectual significance, is the organization of book launch events for works published in Russian, as mentioned above. A book about Vietnamese heroes and fighters in the resistance war against foreign aggressors, translated and introduced to Russian readers, is not only a literary event but also a highly effective and meaningful external information activity.

During various exchanges between the Viet Nam – Russia Friendship Association and the Russia – Viet Nam Friendship Association and Russian partners, they have noted that in Russia, education in patriotism, the preservation and promotion of traditions of defending the homeland, and the protection of national independence and sovereignty are highly emphasized. Vietnamese literary works featuring heroes and fighters in the struggle for peace, independence, and freedom for the Fatherland are widely read by Russians, particularly among the younger generation. Through these books, the heroic and peace-loving image of the Vietnamese people and the Viet Nam People’s Army is introduced to Russian and international friends. Book launches, seminars, and interviews related to these works often attract the attention of Russian media, international press, and Russian public opinion. Thus, a well-organized cultural event can become a profound, natural, persuasive, and enduring channel of external communication.

Spreading to younger generations – sowing the seeds of friendship

In its exchange activities, the Viet Nam – Russia Friendship Association places particular emphasis on young people and students - the generation entrusted with preserving and developing the friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries. Meetings, celebrations, and Vietnam–Russia academic seminars are regularly organized, attracting youth participation and helping young people of both nations gain mutual understanding and opportunities for cooperation.

In the context of digital media, the Association has also expanded the use of online platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to share images, short clips, reportages, and bilingual Viet Nam – Russia interviews, helping disseminate information more quickly, in a friendly and appealing manner to young audiences. As a result, the Association’s external information work has not only expanded in reach but has also become “younger” in content, style, and communication language.

Historical witness, female Saigon special forces soldier, Vu Minh Nghia (Chinh Nghia) shared with people attending the book introduction. (Photo courtesy of the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association)

Another effective approach has been the Association’s sharing of information materials, images of activities, and notable political, social, economic, and cultural events in Viet Nam to help partners in the Russian Federation — such as the Russia – Viet Nam Friendship Association in Moscow, the Russia - Viet Nam Friendship Association “Baikal” in Irkutsk, and the Committee for Foreign Relations of Saint Petersburg, publish them on their information portals and organize exhibitions.

The publication of the bilingual Vietnamese–Russian book "75 Years of the Viet - Xo/Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association" by the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Association’s Traditional Day (23 May 1950 – 23 May 2025), as a commemorative gift, is also an effective form of external information activity. The book introduces the formation, development, and activities of the Association, as well as notable stories and events in 75 years of Viet Nam - Russia people-to-people diplomacy.

Challenges and the need for renewal

Alongside positive achievements, the external information work of the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association still faces difficulties: limited communication resources and a need to enhance skills in using new technologies.

Furthermore, linguistic and cultural differences between the two nations require communication efforts to be more precise, sensitive, and professional to ensure that messages are conveyed fully, engagingly, and appropriately to Russian audiences.

Therefore, the need for renewal is urgent: not only in communication formats but also in mindset — shifting from “speaking” to “doing,” from “conveying” to “experiencing,” from “informing” to “creating influence.”

Orientation and solutions for the future

To further enhance the effectiveness of its external information work, the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association focuses on several key directions:

Continuing to develop the model of “information through activities”: organizing specific events with rich content, from exhibitions and seminars to creative contests and cultural, artistic, and educational programs, for the media to naturally reflect.

Strengthening cooperation with the press and media of both countries in reporting, writing articles, and producing content about Viet Nam - Russia friendship. Exploring ways to encourage Russian media to introduce Vietnamese literary works, music, and films.

Encouraging bilingual translation and publishing projects, especially publications introducing the history, culture, people, achievements, and contributions of Viet Nam, such as books on heroes, national figures, or revolutionary war literature — to help Russian readers understand and appreciate Viet Nam more deeply.

Building a network of communicators within the Association, including former overseas students, journalists, artists, and researchers - individuals capable of using both languages, influential, and dedicated to the Association — to serve as “ambassadors” of people-to-people external information work.

The external information work of the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association is not merely media communication but people-to-people diplomacy through action, culture, knowledge, and sentiment.

Every activity of the Association - from children’s drawing contests to book launches, from seminars and roundtable discussions to cultural exchange programs - serves as a vivid message of enduring friendship, gratitude, and the aspiration for peace and cooperation between the peoples of the two nations.

External information succeeds not because we speak well, but because we take genuine actions - actions that others can see for themselves, retell, and naturally spread.

This is the enduring value of external information in the new era and the right direction for the Viet Nam - Russia Friendship Association as it continues to keep alive the Viet Nam - Russia friendship flame that has burned brightly for more than 75 years and will continue to illuminate the path for relations between the peoples of the two countries in the future.

Cultural and People-to-people Diplomacy Connect Future Generations of Viet Nam and Russia On September 30, in Hanoi, a seminar titled "Culture, Education, Art: Connecting Heritage and Future" took place. Held within the framework of the first Viet ...

PM Modi, President Putin Discuss Strengthening India-Russia Strategic Partnership Ahead of December Summit PM Modi and Putin reviewed progress of bilateral agenda and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen India-Russia ties.