Moscow (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia hosted a get-together on August 5 to honour Soviet experts, especially those in military, who supported and accompanied the Vietnamese air defence and air force in their first days.

August 5, 1964, saw a marked victory of the young Vietnamese air defence and air force in the resistance war against the US as they shot down eight planes and captured pilots for the first time, with Soviet military experts making great contributions.

Attended by representatives of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Soviet Peace Fund, and Vietnamese associations in the country, the event demonstrated the long-lasting friendship between Vietnam and the former Soviet Union, as well as Russia today. The participants observed a minute of silence in memory of late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong who played a crucial role in promoting the Vietnam-Russia relations.

In his speech, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi affirmed the Vietnamese people are deeply grateful to Russian experts for their selfless, altruistic, and effective assistance to Vietnam during its struggle for national independence and construction, saying thousands of Soviet experts stood shoulder to shoulder with the Vietnamese army and people to the final victory, as well as in the peacetime.

He highlighted the growing friendship and trust between the two countries, saying despite challenges, they are still flourishing in all areas of cooperation on par with the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

That relationship is entering a new phase of development following the state visit to Vietnam by Russian President Vladimir Putin last June, he stressed.

Nikolai Kolesnik, Chairman of the Russian War Veterans’ Association who once worked in Vietnam, recalled the hardships and challenges during the wartime, and expressed his delight at the remarkable transformation of Vietnam.

He said the results are noteworthy given great efforts and determination of the Vietnamese people, as well as their love of peace, and their appreciation for all international assistance.

Svetlana Golikova, who was responsible for collecting and sending information about Vietnam's demand for support to the Soviet Union in 1970 – 1971, fully understood the difficulties faced by Vietnam at that time more than anyone else. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, she could not hide her admiration for Vietnam's revival, and her great love of the Southeast Asian nation.

Ambassador Khoi emphasised that educating the young generation about the significance of the Vientam-Russia friendship and the value of international solidarity is a task shared by the two countries./.