During a visit and work in Nghe An on the occasion of the 154^th birth anniversary of V.I. Lenin, on the morning of April 16, the delegation of the Russian Federation's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Vietnam and Ulyanovsk province works had a working session with the Provincial People's Committee.

On the delegation's side, there were Mr. Bezdetko Gennady Stepanovich – the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Viet Nam; Mr. Kabanov Oleg Vladimirovich - Vice Chairman of the Ulyanovsk Oblast Government, Russian Federation and members of the delegation.

Receiving and working with the delegation from Nghe An province were comrades: Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC); comrade Bui Dinh Long - Provincial Party Committee member, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; leaders of departments, committees and branches.

Overview of the meeting

Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of the PPC speaks

Addressing at the ceremony, Comrade Nguyen Duc Trung - Chairman of the PPC affirmed: Russia and Viet Nam have a special relationship. This sentiment was laid down when President Ho Chi Minh first set foot in Soviet Russia and found in Leninism the lines to liberate Viet Nam from feudal colonialism since the 20s of the last century. Since then, for the two peoples of Viet Nam and the Russian Federation, although far apart geographically, are close in spirit and passionate patriotism. The two countries have always together accompanied, overcoming countless difficulties and challenges, forging a special traditional friendship between the two nations today.

Nghe An is the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh, a national liberation hero and world cultural celebrity. Ulyanovks is the hometown of V.I. Lenin, a great thinker, outstanding political theorist, prominent leader of the workers and working people around the world. With that natural connection, Nghe An province and Ulyanovsk Oblast have established the relationship of cooperation since the 80s of the twentieth century.

On the occasion of the first visit of the Ambassador and Vice Chairman of the Ulyanovsk Oblast Government to Nghe An, the Chairman of the PPC introduced the basic features of Nghe An province and the cooperative relationship between the two provinces in recent times. Nghe An has solutions to improve the business investment environment and infrastructure. In the province, there is currently an economic zone and 5 industrial parks that have been invested synchronously to be ready to welcome investors to learn and invest in Nghe An.

Regarding cooperation between Nghe An and the Russian Federation in general and Ulyanovks Oblast in particular, in 2006, the two provinces reconnected their cooperative relationship during the visit of the Nghe An Provincial Delegation to Ulyanovks. In 2007, the Delegation of Ulyanovsk Oblast Government led by the Governor visited, worked and signed a Cooperation Agreement in Nghe An Province. Regarding trade, in 2023, export turnover to Russia of Nghe An enterprises reached about 3.5 million USD, and in the first quarter of 2024 it reached 1.6 million USD. The main export items are resin, fruits, textiles, agricultural products, rice, etc.

Regarding cultural and educational exchanges, in 2017, the government and people of Ulyanovks Oblast created the best conditions for the government and people of Nghe An province to build and inaugurate the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Ho Chi Minh City in Ulyanovks Oblast and changed the name of High School No. 76 to Ho Chi Minh High School; Signing a memorandum of understanding on educational cooperation between Ho Chi Minh High School in Ulyanovks Oblast and Phan Boi Chau High School for Gifted students in Nghe An province.

The statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Ulyanovks and the statue of V.I. Lenin in Vinh city are the friendship symbols between the people of Viet Nam and Russia, showing the precious feelings of the people of the two provinces for the two leaders, they are also a meaningful cultural and artistic symbol and a “red address” for domestic and foreign tourists.

However, the results of cooperation between the two provinces and the Russian Federation still have a lot of potential to strengthen cooperation activities for cultural exchange and people-to-people diplomacy. Chairman of the PPC hopes that, in the coming time, Nghe An province and Ulyanovks Oblast will enhance cooperative activities in many fields. Regarding education and Training, exchange of teachers teaching Vietnamese and Russian between Phan Boi Chau High School for Gifted students of Nghe An and High School No. 76 named Ho Chi Minh in Ulyanovks; organizing programs to exchange teachers and students between the two schools.

Regarding Health, cooperate in exchanging experiences and training in technology transfer for medical staff in the fields of cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, reproductive medicine, aesthetic medicine, hyperbaric oxygen, and traditional medicine. Regarding tourism, jointly research to build a tourist itinerary connecting Ulyanovks Oblast, the Russian Federation and Nghe An province. Regarding culture, organize cultural and artistic exchange activities between Nghe An province and Ulyanovks Oblast. Regarding trade and investment, continue to promote opportunities to enhance trade and investment cooperation between enterprises of the two provinces to search investment from the two sides, etc.

Mr. Bezdetko Gennady Stepanovich - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Viet Nam speaks

Thanking the warm reception of the leaders of Nghe An province, Mr. Bezdetko Gennady Stepanovich - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Viet Nam showed his pleasure when coming to Nghe An province, a place rich in cultural traditions, history and revolution; Homeland of President Ho Chi Minh, beloved leader of the Vietnamese people; Hometown of the famous revolutionary movement with the Nghe Tinh Soviet revolutionary.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Viet Nam highly appreciated the efforts of the provincial leaders, departments and branches for the inauguration event of the V.I.Lenin monument. This is an event that not only has an important meaning in the cooperative relationship between Ulyanovsk and Nghe An, but in a broader political sense, it is a symbol to promote the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and the Russia in general. Expressed his joy that after the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperative and friendly relationships have continued to develop positively. Russia is aiming for the promotion of comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Viet Nam is still an important partner in the Asia-Pacific region; Viet Nam's leading companies and corporations are continuing to actively operate in Russia. Sharing and agreeing with the fields proposed by the Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province, the Ambassador hopes that in the near future, Nghe An enterprises shaill have cooperation with the Ulyanovsk in the fields. The Embassy has been and continues to create all necessary support conditions for enterprises aim for mutual cooperation.

Mr. Kabanov Oleg Vladimirovich - Vice Chairman of the Ulyanovsk Oblast Government states

Mr. Kabanov Oleg Vladimirovich - Vice Chairman of the Ulyanovsk Oblast Government thanked and appreciated Nghe An province for dedicating a beautiful abd solemn location to place the V.I.Lenin monument. He also hopes that in 2024, the two provinces shall strive to increase trade turnover to 30 - 40%, especially agricultural products, confectionery, ice cream, sunflower oil, etc.

Vice Chairman of the Ulyanovsk Oblast Government would like to establish Nghe An Commercial Building in Ulyanovsk Oblast and Rusian village in Vinh city. Ulyanovsk is very interested in implementing this project, especially will consider setting aside a plot of land to build a Commercial Building of Nghe An province in Ulyanovsk. The province also looks forward to receiving support from Nghe An province for this project. To operate effectively, cooperation between both sides is needed. Ulyanovsk Oblast is proposing that the Government consider a direct flight to create cooperation between the two sides. He pledged to create all conditions for Nghe An enterprises to work effectively in Ulyanovsk province; He also hopes that Nghe An province in particular and Viet Nam in general will continue to enhance the cooperative relationship, not only in friendly cooperation but also in economic fields.

Huyen – Oanh