(VOVWORLD) - The Vietnam Year in Russia and Russia Year in Vietnam were launched at a ceremony in Moscow on Wednesday night with the Prime Ministers of the two countries attending.
 Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attend the launch ceremony of the Vietnam Year in Russia and Russia Year in Vietnam in Moscow on May 22, 2019. (Photo: VGP) |
In his remarks, Prime Minister Phuc recalled the signing of the Treaty on Fundamental Principles of Vietnam-Russia Friendship 25 years ago, saying it opened a new chapter in bilateral ties. The Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam will celebrate this treaty and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties. Exchanges, celebrations, trade and investment promotion programs, and art performances will take place in both countries.
Prime Minister Phuc said: “Vietnamese people have happy memories of Russia and think of Russians as tolerant and friendly people. I think that after the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam, more people from the two countries will choose the other country as their destination for traveling, studying, and working, and more businesses will start cooperative ventures, deepening the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership and nurturing the loyalty between the two nations.”
Prime Minister Medvedev called the events a wonderful idea which underlines the special multifaceted nature of Vietnam-Russia cooperation. He said: “It’s important to Russia that Vietnamese people love Russian culture, including classic and contemporary art. Russians like traveling to Vietnam to explore its history, art, and culture. In 2018 alone, Vietnam welcomed 600,000 Russian tourists.”
Mr. Medvedev said he hopes the people of the two countries will gain insight into each other’s culture through the planned exhibitions, concerts, and film screenings.