Vietnamese cosmonaut Pham Tuan and Russiancosmonaut Victor Gorbatko, who undertook the mission 30 years ago, werepresent at the ceremony.
Addressing the ceremony, Tran Xuan Thu,Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, describedthe July 23-31, 1980 space-flight mission by cosmonauts Pham Tuan andVictor Gorbatko as an historical event to the Vietnamese people andserving as a milestone in the development of the traditional friendship,comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership between Vietnam andthe Soviet Union (now Russia and the SNG).
Hestressed that Vietnam would never forget the wholehearted andeffective assistance from people of the former Soviet Union, as well asof Russia , to Vietnam during the past 60 years.
The two cosmonauts recalled the time they shared together 30 years ago.
Gorbatkoexpressed his joy at revisiting Vietnam – his second homeland – andwitnessing Vietnam ’s achievements in all fields.
He expressedhis hope that together with socio-economic development, Vietnamwould accelerate investment in research and development of spaceaviation./.