Visitors to the exhibion to mark the 95th anniversary of President Ho’Chi Minh's first arrival in Russia

Addressing the function, Than Thi Thu, head of the municipal Party Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, Nguyen Ai Quoc’s landing in Petrograd city (now Saint Petersburg) on June 30th, 1923 was a choice of history and an unfadable millstone.

As a place where patriotic youth Nguyen Tat Thanh made a stop before boarding a ship to find the way to save the nation, HCM City has made tireless efforts to develop itself into a civilised and modern city with good living conditions, she said.

The city has continuously enhanced cooperation and friendship with countries around the world, including Russia, she said, adding that the people of Vietnam and HCM City in particular are always grateful to the Russian people for their great and wholehearted assistance during the past struggle for national liberation as well as the current national construction and defence. 

Maria Mizonova, Acting Consul General of Russia to HCM City, President Ho Chi Minh laid the first bricks for and made every effort to consolidate and develop the friendship and cooperation between Russia and Vietnam.

Now, that relationship has become a comprehensive strategic partnership which is thriving in all fields from politics, economy and trade to culture and people-to-people diplomacy, he noted.

Katanandov Sergey Leonidovich, special envoy of the governor of Saint Petersburg on issues regarding national building and development and cooperation with Russian agencies, said his city is proud to be the place President Ho Chi Minh selected to set foot when arriving in Russia.

Saint Petersburg is also the only locality outside Vietnam having an institute on Ho Chi Minh thoughts named Ho Chi Minh Institute, he stressed.

Saint Petersburg and HCM City have been implementing an array of cooperative activities in various areas, contributing to tightening and developing the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations, he added.

On the occasion, HCM City opened an exhibition entitled “Uncle Ho with beloved Russia”, showcasing hundreds of paintings and photos on President Ho Chi Minh and people of the Soviet Union (now Russia) as well as the friendship between HCM City and Russia./.

Compiled by BTA