The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Associations organised a ceremony on February 2 to mark the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties (January 30, 1950).

During the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Manh Ha said the friendship and cooperative ties between Vietnam and Russia have always been nurtured and cemented by mutual trust and commitments.

Ha highlighted the significant achievements the two countries have made in many fields in spite of challenges and changes, contributing greatly to the respective development.

Ho Chi Minh City’s residents, together with Vietnamese people nationwide, will continue fostering the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Russia and bettering the already closely-knit solidarity between the people of the City and Russia, Ha asserted.

Consul General Aleksei Vladimirovich Popov reviewed the traditional relations between the two nations, hailing the cooperation between their localities, especially with Ho Chi Minh City.

He expressed hope that the two countries will strive to realise their set goals for their respective benefit, for peace, security and the development in the region and the world.

By 2014, Russia has invested in 21 projects in Ho Chi Minh City, with a total capital of 32.45 million USD.

Two-way trade between the City and Russia stood at nearly 290,000 USD in 2014.

Russia is one of the top ten countries and territories with the highest tourist number to the city, with nearly 84,000 arrivals.-VNA