Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Trinh Thi Thuy emphasised that both institutions have long shared a mission of preserving, studying, and promoting the cultural and historical values associated with President Ho Chi Minh, particularly his ideology, morality, and lifestyle. Their sustained cooperation, she said, has contributed to strengthening mutual understanding and people-to-people exchange, fostering the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Russia.
The new MoU translates key orientations of the bilateral cultural cooperation programme, signed between the culture ministries of Viet Nam and Russia in January 2025, into concrete action. It creates opportunities for enhanced heritage conservation, scientific research, professional exchange and the promotion of each nation’s cultural identity abroad.
Thuy affirmed that her ministry will support both sides in effectively implementing the agreed areas of cooperation, especially activities that help spread the enduring values of Ho Chi Minh’s legacy internationally.
Le Thi Phuong, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site, said this is the first MoU the two institutions have signed, despite a decade of cooperation since 2015. The agreement is expected to deepen collaboration in research and heritage preservation.
Saint Petersburg State University, home to the world’s first and only Ho Chi Minh Institute outside Viet Nam, is one of Russia’s leading centres of science and culture, founded in 1724. The Ho Chi Minh Relic Site, a special national relic that preserves significant locations associated with the late President, including his iconic stilt house, a symbol of national identity and international solidarity.
Both sides expect the MoU to facilitate joint academic products that portray President Ho Chi Minh as a national liberation hero and an outstanding cultural celebrity of Viet Nam.
Sergey Andryushin, Vice Rector for International Relations at Saint Petersburg State University, said the partnership would help preserve Ho Chi Minh’s heritage while contributing to stronger Viet Nam–Russia relations.
The new MoU comes as the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and 10 years of cooperation between the university and the relic site. Under the agreement, the two sides will cooperate in key areas including joint scientific events, student internships, collection of materials related to Ho Chi Minh and bilateral relations, expert exchanges, and co-publishing new works on the President and the history of ties between Viet Nam and Russia.
