The hat of the Vietnamese soldiers in the exhibition "Your pain in my heart, Vietnam" (Photo: VOV)

Jointly held by the St.Petersburg city External Relations Committee, the Military Medical Museum under the Ministry of Defense of Russia, and the Vietnamese Association in St. Petersburg, the meeting took place as Russia prepared to hold a parade to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

During the meeting, Ms. Le Thi Thanh Ly, acting Head of the Department of Russia - Eastern Europe and Central Asia from the Central Committee for External Relations, congratulated the people of the former Soviet Union and the people of the Russian Federation today on the occasion, especially the veterans who made a meaningful historic victory, the victory over fascism.

Noting important milestones of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia since the establishment of diplomatic relations on January 30th, 1950, she spoke of Uncle Ho’s visit to Petrograd city earlier, now St. Petersburg nearly 100 years ago, stressing that Uncle Ho was the one laying the foundation for the friendly relationship between the two countries. Over the past 70 years, the relationship between the two countries has been constantly strengthened, nurtured, and achieved great cooperation achievements in all fields, including politics, economy, science, education, culture, military and defense.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Anatoly Budko, Director of Military Medical Museum, introduced the exhibition "Your pain in my heart, Vietnam", confirming it as an exhibition of love and friendship which helps the young generation understand the victory of the Vietnamese people in the struggle against invaders for national liberation.

The exhibition also introduced many previously unpublished medical supplies provided by the Soviet Union to Vietnam, along with a lot of medicines, surgical kits and first aid tools.

Colonel Aleksei Skrebliukov, President of Association for veterans joining the struggle in Vietnam, mentioned the participation of 7 Vietnamese soldiers in the war to protect Moscow in 1941; their names are currently kept and honoured in the Church of the Russian Armed Forces - the museum "Memorial Road" which is going to be inaugurated in Moscow.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Association in St. Petersburg, Mr. Le Dinh Vu, Chairman of the association expressed his deep affection with Russia, considering it as a second homeland. “The Vietnamese community in St. Petersburg has been actively involved in the life of the city and made contributions to the city’s development,” he said./.

Compiled by BTA