Hanoi as one of Vietnam’s largest cultural hubs, seeks greater cooperation with Russia in general and Moscow in particular, in culture and tourism.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung and KPRF Vice-Chairman Leonid Kalashnikov. Photos: Thanh Hai

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung stressed the view in a meeting with Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) and Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots Leonid Kalashnikov today [December 16].

According to Dung, Hanoi is currently home to 5,922 cultural and historical sites, many of which date back over 1,000 years.

“These are the huge potential for both sides to press on,” Dung said, adding cooperation in tourism and services would further boost economic growth.

At the meeting, Dung expressed his thanks for the KPRF to award General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong the Lenin Prize, one of the noblest awards by the former Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the KPRF.

Dung said such a move not only showcases the affection of the KPRF to the CPV’s leader, but also to the CPV and the Vietnamese people.

The municipal Party chief said the Vietnam-Soviet relations in the past and the current Vietnam-Russia ties have been progressing over the years and enjoy a high level of political trust.

He mentioned the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union or AEAU (including Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan) that have opened up new opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism.

“Both sides should further take advantage of the EAEU to realize the huge cooperation potential,” he continued.

Overview of the meeting.

Pushing for Moscow House in Hanoi

Sharing Dung’s view, Kalashnikov stressed the strong Vietnam-Russia relations have been further enhanced via the latest successful trip of State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Russia in early December.

Kalashnikov noted the fact that the meeting between two country leaders in over four hours, significantly longer than usual of less than two hours, showcases the significance of the bilateral strategic partnership.

The Russian official said he is committed to further cooperation between Vietnam and the Eurasian region, especially given the EAEU which is in force.

He informed a delegation of Russian Duma is scheduled to visit Vietnam next year to bolster bilateral relations.

Referring to Hanoi-Moscow Culture, Trading, and Hotel Center in Moscow as the focal point to promote Vietnam’s trade and culture in Russia, Kalashnikov called for the local authorities’ support in building a similar project in Hanoi.

Kalashnikov expected the project would be another highlight in Vietnam-Russia relations.

In response, Dung expressed his full support for the soon construction of the project.

So far, Hanoi has designated a location covering 4.64 hectares in Me Tri Ward for the project, expecting this would be an ideal venue for such an important symbol of bilateral relations.