State President Truong Tan Sang arrived in Moscow on the early morning of May 8 (local time) to attend a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking before his departure, the State leader said the important contributions of the troops and people of the Soviet Union towards victory over the fascist axis 70 years ago created favourable conditions for the struggle of Vietnamese people.

"The late President Ho Chi Minh said that the Soviet Union – Vietnam friendship was essential in ensuring the Vietnamese victory in the fight for national liberation and defence.

"In addition to the Soviet Union's assistance to Vietnam in the 1975 victory, nearly 300 industrial projects were also constructed; the liveliest evidence of the Soviet Union's support for Vietnam during the war time," he said.

Vietnamese people continue to bear in their mind the great sacrifices made by the former Soviet Union people, including Russians, he stated, adding that historical lessons learned from the anti-fascism war remain valuable now.

During his stay, the Vietnamese President and other State leaders will join a celebration parade in the Red Square on May 9.

He is also scheduled to have meetings with Russian leaders and visit a number of social-economic facilities and Russia-Vietnam firms in Russia. He will also pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh by planting a tree at his statue in Moscow.-VNA