President Truong Tan Sang on July 8 expressed his gratitude to Kazakh war veteran Issa Bisanov for helping train Vietnamese air defence soldiers during the war.

At the reception for Bisanov in Hanoi, President Sang said the support and assistance from him and other international friends played an important role in Vietnam’s struggle for independence.

The Vietnamese Party, Government and people always remember the contributions made by Kazakhstan’s veterans, the leader added.

For his part, the veteran expressed his delight at returning to Vietnam after near 50 years.

Bisanov said he and his comrades admired the strong spirit of the Vietnamese people and soldiers during the war against the US.

He also praised Vietnam’s positive developments in all areas, adding that he always keeps in his mind the image of a Vietnam undaunted in the war, and its dynamic and creative national construction.-VNA