The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia on February 12 hosted a new year-meeting with around 200 Vietnamese who are studying and working in Moscow.

Speaking at the meeting, Vietnamese Ambassador Bui Dinh Dinh highlighted great achievements made by the Vietnamese people during 2009 in all aspects, especially politics and socio-economics.

He expressed his wish that in 2010 when the country marks a large number of important events, including the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, and assumes the ASEAN Chair, the Vietnamese community in Russia will continue making efforts to build a united, stable and developed community and make practical contributions to the homeland, helping consolidate the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

A similar meeting was held in Cairo , Egypt , on February 13 to mark the Year of the Tiger./.