Cosmonaut of the former Soviet Union Viktor Vasilyevich Gorbatko and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Tuan (Photo: VNA) Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan held a reception for cosmonaut of the former Soviet Union, Viktor Vasilyevich Gorbatko, who made a space flight with Vietnamese astronaut Pham Tuan 35 years ago.
Tuan warmly welcomed the visiting cosmonaut and his wife on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the joint Vietnam-Soviet Union flight into space and the upcoming celebration of the 70th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and the 70th National Day (September 2).
He hailed the mission as a historic milestone in the traditional friendship and special cooperative ties between Vietnam and Russia.
He stressed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam continue to bear in mind the substantial spiritual and material assistance from the people and armed forces of the former Soviet Union and current Russia to Vietnam in the struggle for the national liberation and in national construction and scientific studies.
He expressed his belief that the time-honoured friendship between the two nations will inspire practical and effective cooperation in space aviation science and technologies.
For his part, Gorbatko thanked the host and recalled the time he shared with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Tuan on the flight, saying the memories will stay forever in his heart and mind.
Cosmonauts Pham Tuan and Victor Gorbatko made an aerospace flight on the Union-37 spaceship from July 23-31, 1980. They landed safely after conducting scientific research programmes. The mission became an historical event and the pride of the two nations.-VNA
