Closing of the first Vietnam - Russia People's Forum: success in three aspects

After two working days in Hanoi, on October 1, the first Vietnam - Russia People's Forum closed. In his concluding speech, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of the Russia - Vietnam Cooperation Development Fund "Tradition and Friendship", a member of the Organizing Committee, commented that the Forum was successful in three aspects: realizing President Ho Chi Minh's "public diplomacy" ideology; inheriting the achievements of people-to-people diplomacy activities between the two countries; and applying a creative and modern approach, creating new momentum for Vietnam - Russia people-to-people relations.

With 24 presentations on diverse topics from science, education , health to cultural and trade exchanges, the first Vietnam - Russia People's Forum in Hanoi left its mark with a series of specific recommendations, creating momentum to prepare for the second time in Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) in 2026.

Attending the event were Mr. Phan Anh Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations ; leaders of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association; Mr. Vyacheslav Kalganov, Vice Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Foreign Affairs Committee; and representatives of ministries, branches, organizations, localities, intellectuals, scholars, businesses and people's organizations of the two countries.

In his closing speech, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of the Russia - Vietnam Cooperation Development Fund "Tradition and Friendship", member of the Organizing Committee, assessed the Forum as successful thanks to the presence of managers, scientists , intellectuals, artists, businessmen, doctors and many Vietnamese friends. The open and close atmosphere among the delegates and the response of the people of the Capital contributed to creating a unique character for the first Vietnam - Russia People's Forum.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of the Russia - Vietnam Cooperation Development Fund "Tradition and Friendship" delivered a closing speech. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Mr. Hung reviewed the outstanding results from the four thematic workshops of the Forum, noting many initiatives and practical cooperation proposals in the fields of science, technology, health, economics, trade, law, education and culture. Some notable recommendations include: establishing direct flights from Saint Petersburg to localities in Vietnam; Russia considering visa exemption policy for Vietnamese citizens; promoting short-term student exchanges between universities of the two countries; supporting the establishment of “Vietnam House” in Saint Petersburg as a convergence point of culture, education and people-to-people cooperation.

In particular, the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Friendship Hospital (Vietnam) and the Napalkov Oncology Center (Russian Federation) signed at the Forum opens up prospects for extensive cooperation in cancer treatment and medical human resource training.

According to Mr. Hung, the Forum was successful in three aspects: realizing President Ho Chi Minh's "public diplomacy" ideology; inheriting achievements from people-to-people diplomacy activities between the two countries; and applying a creative and modern approach, creating new momentum for Vietnam-Russia people-to-people relations.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Do Xuan Hoang, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Organizations in the Russian Federation, commented: The forum demonstrated the true spirit of a people's forum: diverse perspectives, but converging on the sentiment of attachment and the desire to contribute to the relationship between the two countries.

Mr. Do Xuan Hoang, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Organizations in the Russian Federation. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

At the closing session, Mr. Vyacheslav Kalganov, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Saint Petersburg, said that the city will host the second Vietnam - Russia People's Forum in October 2026. He also expressed interest in two major proposals: erecting a memorial to Soviet and Vietnamese experts in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City; and naming a street in Vietnam after the city of Leningrad, similar to the event in Dien Bien in March this year. He said that the Forum needs to produce concrete results, directly serving the interests of the people of the two countries.

Mr. Vyacheslav Kalganov, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Saint Petersburg city, spoke at the closing ceremony. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In his closing speech, Mr. Phan Anh Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, said that the Forum had fulfilled its set goals, becoming valuable experience to better prepare for the second organization.

He emphasized that the Vietnam-Russia relationship is a special relationship, built over 75 years on the foundation of deep affection between the people of the two countries. Even many Vietnamese who have never set foot in Russia still love the country, culture, music and people of Russia - that is the foundation that needs to be maintained and promoted.

Mr. Phan Anh Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, delivered the closing speech at the first Vietnam - Russia People's Forum. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In the context of many international changes, Mr. Son said that Vietnam - Russia people-to-people cooperation needs to both promote tradition and promote more substantive and effective cooperation, in line with the development orientation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as the direction of the two countries' senior leaders. Currently, bilateral trade turnover has only reached about 4.6 billion USD (in 2024), still modest compared to the potential, and needs to be further exploited through business cooperation, local connections, and cultural exchanges.

The fields of science, technology, digital transformation, culture, arts, as well as cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries need to be focused on, especially through the active participation of universities, research institutes and relevant agencies.

Mr. Son said that Vietnam will focus on diversifying the delegations attending the second Vietnam - Russia People's Forum in Russia. The organizing committee will seriously learn from experience, promote strengths, and overcome limitations so that the next Forum can be organized more effectively, with better quality and have a stronger impact.

The first Vietnam - Russia People's Forum took place over two days (September 30 - October 1), organized by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations in coordination with the Saint Petersburg Foreign Affairs Committee, the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association, the Russia - Vietnam Friendship Association and the Russia - Vietnam Cooperation Development Promotion Fund "Tradition and Friendship".

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/be-mac-dien-dan-nhan-dan-viet-nga-lan-thu-nhat-thanh-cong-tren-ba-phuong-dien-216679.html