The forum was held on September 30 and October 1 by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Saint Petersburg Committee for External Relations, the Viet Nam–Russia Friendship Association, the Russia–Viet Nam Friendship Association, and the “Tradition and Friendship” foundation for promoting the bilateral cooperation.
At the event, Chien stressed that generations of the Vietnamese people always bear in mind Russia’s kindness and heartfelt support for the country’s national development and safeguarding efforts, while highlighting Viet Nam’s foreign policy of multilateralisation, diversification, independence, and self-reliance, with the three pillars of Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. The robust relationship with Russia and with Saint Petersburg in particular is a shining example, he said.
He went on to highlight the country’s remarkable development, recalling its journey from among the world’s poorest and food insecure when the Doi moi (renewal) was launched in 1986 to a world’s leading rice exporter and an economic powerhouse.
Viet Nam is entering a new era – that of the nation’s rise, strengthened by the unity and confidence of its people. The country has established diplomatic relations with 193 nations, forged Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with 13, and is an active member of over 70 international organisations. One of Viet Nam’s greatest strengths lies in its people’s trust and solidarity, linking the ideas and power of the Party with the strength of the nation.
He shared that the political system has been streamlined into a two-tier local government structure, while the VFF and socio-political and mass organisations have been restructured to play more proactive roles, enabling them to connect, propose initiatives, and create favourable conditions for strategic and people-to-people cooperation with international partners.
As an organisation under the VFF, VUFO is expected to continue fulfilling its mission of connecting and fostering ties between Vietnamese and Russian peoples and social organisations.
