President Dmitry Medvedev was given a standing ovation by thousands of Russian alumni as he appeared at the door of the fully-packed hall of the Friendship Cultural Palace built by the former Soviet Union in Hanoi during the 1980s.
In his greeting speech, the Soviet-trained academician Dao Trong Thi, a senior lawmaker and President of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, described relations between Vietnam and Russia as having stood the test of time.
“To the mind of the Vietnamese people, ‘Russian spirit’ and ‘Russian characteristics’ symbolise kindness, sincerity, generosity and courage”, said the Director of the National Assembly Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children.
He emphasised that in a changing world, Vietnam and Russia a bonded to each other by many common interests.
For his part, the Russian president confided that he felt quite surprised and touched in his heart at the warm welcome given to him, especially when the crowds from the corridor to inside the hall could both speak and understand his mother tongue.
Medvedev, child of a Soviet-era professor who trained generations of Vietnamese students, said the event recalled his childhood when his house was always warmed up with Vietnamese voices.
“My dad loved Vietnamese students very much for their industriousness and hardworking attitudes. They visited my home very often and sang and danced with him,” recalled the Russian President.
He emphasised that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Russia which was cultivated since the wars for national salvation, would be respected forever and constantly developed by the governments and people of the two nations.
“Almost 30,000 Russian alumni and the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association will serve as a key bridge to connect the two nations,” Medvedev said.
In reply to questions raised by students interested in Russia study, Medvedev informed them of two projects, a joint-venture university in Vietnam and a bilateral agreement on personnel training.
He made it clear that negotiations on the university project were underway while discussions on the agreement were expected to kick off soon.
The meeting lasted longer than planned and the Russian leader called it an “unforgettable experience” which would contribute to everlasting relations between the two countries.
Medvedev was in Vietnam for an official visit at the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet./.
In his greeting speech, the Soviet-trained academician Dao Trong Thi, a senior lawmaker and President of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, described relations between Vietnam and Russia as having stood the test of time.
“To the mind of the Vietnamese people, ‘Russian spirit’ and ‘Russian characteristics’ symbolise kindness, sincerity, generosity and courage”, said the Director of the National Assembly Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children.
He emphasised that in a changing world, Vietnam and Russia a bonded to each other by many common interests.
For his part, the Russian president confided that he felt quite surprised and touched in his heart at the warm welcome given to him, especially when the crowds from the corridor to inside the hall could both speak and understand his mother tongue.
Medvedev, child of a Soviet-era professor who trained generations of Vietnamese students, said the event recalled his childhood when his house was always warmed up with Vietnamese voices.
“My dad loved Vietnamese students very much for their industriousness and hardworking attitudes. They visited my home very often and sang and danced with him,” recalled the Russian President.
He emphasised that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Russia which was cultivated since the wars for national salvation, would be respected forever and constantly developed by the governments and people of the two nations.
“Almost 30,000 Russian alumni and the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association will serve as a key bridge to connect the two nations,” Medvedev said.
In reply to questions raised by students interested in Russia study, Medvedev informed them of two projects, a joint-venture university in Vietnam and a bilateral agreement on personnel training.
He made it clear that negotiations on the university project were underway while discussions on the agreement were expected to kick off soon.
The meeting lasted longer than planned and the Russian leader called it an “unforgettable experience” which would contribute to everlasting relations between the two countries.
Medvedev was in Vietnam for an official visit at the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet./.
