Moscow (VNA) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong was a prestigious Party leader who devoted himself wholeheartedly to the nation’s prosperity and happiness, according to First Vice Chairman of the Russia – Vietnam Friendship Association Petr Tsvetov.

Sending his deepest condolences to the Vietnamese people and CPV members over the passing of the General Secretary, Tsvetov, a researcher on Vietnam for years, told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Moscow that the Party chief impressed him as a theorist with sharp mind whose extensive knowledge and considerable experiences contributed greatly to the theory on building socialism in Vietnam.

He elaborated that his writings on the essence of the country’s socialist revolution, Doi moi (renewal) process, construction of the rule-of-law state, and bamboo diplomacy have laid a theoretical basis for the Vietnamese Party and State to develop the nation.

One of his outstanding legacies, Tsvetov said, is the bamboo diplomacy, adding bamboo with strong roots, sturdy stems and resilience demonstrates Vietnam's foreign policy which is to safeguard the nation’s independence and resilience, and protect the people’s interests.

According to the Russian expert, General Secretary Trong was both a great leader and theorist of the Vietnamese revolution.

He laid a stress on the leading role of the CPV chief, saying he impacted various institutions and social classes, as well as took on a great responsibility for each development phase of the nation.

He went on to say that General Secretary Trong’s meetings with foreign leaders made important contributions to the nation’s foreign affairs, highlighting the Vietnamese late leader paid many trips to Russia, and held talks with the country’s highest-ranking leaders which helped promote the ties between the two countries.

He recalled the Vietnamese Party chief’s last visit to Russia in 2018 during which he attended the ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association, and presented it with a first-class Labour Order.

The Party leader also delivered a speech that underscored the roles of the relations between the two countries' people and the significance of the people-to-people diplomacy, he said, adding it left a lasting impression on participants.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Israel – Vietnam Friendship Association Eyal Buvilski expressed his condolences over the demise of the Vietnamese leader.

He told VNA's reporters that, having wholeheartedly devoting to the nation, General Secretary Trong has helped Vietnam obtain significant economic achievements and enhance its position on the international arena.

During his tenures, Vietnam – Israel ties have been improved, with the two nations witnessing major advancements in various cooperation domains, he said.

Buvilski, who lived in Vietnam from 2001 to 2003 when the CPV set many “visionary” and “dreamy” targets, said the Party’s dreams come true, attributing the country’s success to the contributions by the late Party chief./.