Strengthening Vietnam – Russia friendship

Commissary of Department of Central Standing, Head of Provincial Propaganda Committee – Mr. Dang Manh Trung was one of the first Southern Union officials to study at Soviet Union Senior School of Union from 1985 to 1990. He said: “The time when we studied in the Soviet Union, our own country was still encountering a lot of difficulties. Thus, the great help from the Soviet Union friends was extremely valuable for us”. The Soviet Union provided the Vietnamese students with the highest scholarships, the most nutritious meals. The Soviet Union teachers and friends were always caring for the Vietnamese as a way to show their respect to the friends who had fought by their side to protect their country. On every Soviet Union traditional holidays, the Vietnamese were all invited. On the annual Anniversary of Communism Party of Vietnam, Vietnam Southern Liberation Day and Tet holidays… the Russian friends always join the celebration and share happiness as if they were also Vietnamese.

Ms. Vo Ngoc Lien – Deputy Head of Department of Culture and Society, Provincial People Assembly shared about her memory back in 1988, when she was in charge of Russian language in Bien Hoa City Office of Education, she was sent to the Soviet Union for the pedagogy training with Ms. Tran Thi Dao - another teacher of Russian at Dong Nai Pedagogy College (Dong Nai University nowadays). Back in those days, studying in Russia was a great honor that many people, especially young people always dreamt of. The most memorable thing that Ms. Lien can remember was Soviet Union people’s hospitality toward the others especially toward Vietnamese. “There is one memory that I can never forget, It was a snowy day with the temperature of -20°C, I went to buy a pump, seeing me carrying the heavy pump on my shoulder, a Russian man came over and help me to carry it back to my hotel, then he came back to his wife who was still happily waiting for him on the street”, she said.

 

Mr. Le Phat Hien – Head of Technology and Science – Technology Market Management Office (Department of Science - Technology) who spent 13 consecutive years studying and working in many places in Russia, shared that the Soviet Union people yesterday or the Russian today always admired and respected the Vietnamese. They still often talk about Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese’s bravery in protecting their country during war time. “In 2010, I had the chance to come back to Russia and the Russian friends helped me a lot with my study and work there. A lot of things changed, but the Russian friendliness still remained the same. I hope it will remain forever and the Vietnam – Russia friendship will be well conserved and promoted”, said Mr. Hien. 

The affection between Dong Nai and Russia is not only shown in the way the Russian support the Vietnamese with their officials and experts training in Russia, but also in the big constructions that the Russian constructed in Dong Nai such as Tri An Hydropower Plant (Vinh Cuu district). With the technology and financial support from the Soviet Union, the power plant was constructed in 1984, finished and operated in 1991 including 4 generators with the total capacity design of 400MW, providing the average of 1.7 billion kWh a year. For 25 years, the power plant has been running durably day and night just like how the Vietnam – Russia friendship has been all along.

Many Vietnamese officials, engineers and pilots trained in Russia in the past years have now been hard working at A42 Factory, Airforce Regiment 935 (Division 370), Tri An Hydropower Plant and some Provincial Departments and agencies…
 *Cooperating in many fields

The Russian are friendly and hospital, Dong Nai people as well as Vietnamese are consistent, always appreciate, respect, conserve and develop the relationship between the two countries. Many Vietnamese who used to study and work in Russia are still keeping up to date with the development status and events from the country every day. Many Vietnamese want to come back to Russia to recall their beautiful memories there with the beloved Russian friends.

Mr. Dang Manh Trung sad that the foundation of Vietnam – Russia Friendship Association in Dong Nai had been the aspiration of many Dong Nai people who used to study and work in Russia. Many people who had actually never been to Russia still wanted to join the Association since they also loved the country really much and they also wanted to help strengthen the relationship between Vietnam and Russia. The Association shall also be a channel to promote the people and picture of Dong Nai widely toward the Russian; a good educational place for young people to learn about the friendship of Vietnam – Soviet Union yesterday and Vietnam – Russia today.

So far, there have been nearly 70 voluntarily taking part in the Association. The Association also had good preparation for the first term executive board before the starting the conference. One of the key missions of the Association in the first term shall be to strengthen the cooperation in exchanging information about economy, culture, investment attraction policies in Dong Nai as well as in Vietnam with the Russia Friendship Organizations. These activities shall also be to get Russian’s attention and support in the development and protection campaigns of Vietnam.

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