The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the Ho Chi Minh City chapter of the Vietnam–Russia Friendship Association on June 7 held a ceremony to mark the 23 rd National Day of Russia (June 12).

Addressing the event, Chairman of the chapter Nguyen Huu Thanh said Vietnam – Russia comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership have deepened since the two countries established diplomatic ties over 60 years ago.

At a State level, the two nations are actively launching projects in strategic fields like energy, military and personnel training. They also set the goal of lifting two-way trade to 10 billion USD by 2020.

A. V. Borovik, Russian Consul General in HCM City , expressed his belief that bilateral friendship and cooperation will be reinforced for the benefit of the two peoples, and for safety and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.

He added that the oil and gas sector plays a crucial role in bilateral energy and investment links, led by the Vietnam–Russia joint-venture Vietsovpetro with the construction of the first nuclear power plant in southern Ninh Thuan province.

On top of this are cultural and tourism exchanges, and links between friendship and business associations, and between universities in Russia and HCM City.-VNA