On November 30, 2018 in the Smolny there was held the First Russian-Vietnamese Youth Forum. Its participants were greeted by the Acting Governor of Saint-Petersburg Alexander Beglov and Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Russia Nong Duc Manh.
Within the work of the Forum the representatives of the Vietnamese youth both arrived from Ho Chi Minh city and students, who are studying in Saint-Petersburg, took part. The city on the Neva River was represented by the students and young people interested in the culture and history of Vietnam.
«Youth guidance remains one of the main in relations between Vietnam and Russia. You are to create the agenda of tomorrow. It is important to include you even today into the international dialogue. Students’ exchanges, mutual visits of the youth delegations, promotion of respect to another country, its history and culture is the best way to strengthen mutual understanding between our nations», the acting head of the city said.
Alexander Beglov noted that it was already the third meeting for the last year in the Smolny, dedicated to Russian-Vietnamese friendship. In March there was held an international conference dedicated to 95th anniversary of the first arrival of the comrade Ho Chi Minh in our country. In May there was conducted Russian-Vietnamese cultural and business forum.
The next year was announced «cross year» in Russia and Vietnam. The government of Saint-Petersburg, Russian youth, Youth college and universities of the city are working together on the project «Spiritual heritage of the comrade Ho Chi Minh. 50 years later». Business, cultural, scientific and educational events will be included into the program. Besides within «cross year» it is planned to conduct two more Russian-Vietnamese youth forums.
Competition results were summed up on the forum among the youth for Vietnamese culture knowledge and the bases of Russian-Vietnamese friendship. Ten winners of the competition will participate in the second Russian-Vietnamese youth forum, which will be held in spring of 2019 in Ho Chi Minh city.
Besides within Forum conduction the acting Governor of Saint-Petersburg Alexander Beglov met with the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Russia Nong Duc Manh in the Smolny.
The issues of strengthening of further multilateral collaboration were discussed at the meeting.
Acting head of the city proposed to conclude the agreement between one of the provinces of Vietnam and one of the districts of Saint-Petersburg. Nong Duc Manh supported this initiative.
The participants of the meeting also came to the conclusion that increasing of the tourist stream between Saint-Petersburg and Ho Chi Minh will promote the opening of the direct charter flights.