The meeting was part of Khoi’s working trip to Saint Petersburg andattendance in Vietnam Week in the city.
Bondarenko said that through a visit to Vietnam by adelegation of the Saint Petersburg Legislative Assembly in 2022, he perceivedthat Vietnam will soon reach the top position in Southeast Asia thanks to its economicdevelopment prospect and growing reputation in the international arena.
Khoi appreciated the support from his host and the city’sLegislative Assembly for the Russia - Vietnam relations and the connectionsbetween Saint Petersburg and its twin cities in Vietnam.
Despite current difficulties, relations between the two countries have continuously strengthened and made new strides. In particular, Saint Petersburgis important to bilateral ties since it was the first place in the SovietUnion that Nguyen Ai Quoc, who later became President Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam, set foot in100 years ago, he went on.
He expressed his delight that the monument to President HoChi Minh will be unveiled on June 30 as scheduled, becoming a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
The ambassador also took this occasion to thank the municipalLegislative Assembly for creating conditions for Vietnamese people to work andlive in the city, especially amid the pandemic, when they were given access tonecessary health care services.
At the meeting, the two sides also discussed some issues ofcommon concern. Khoi held that the Russian city’s experience in promotingrelations with Vietnam is a good example for both sides to address currentdifficulties.
On May 18, Ambassador Khoi and Pyotr Tishenko, Chairman ofthe city’s Archival Committee, marked the opening of an exhibition on thetime-tested friendship between Saint Petersburg and Vietnam.
The event aims to celebrate 100 years since Ho Chi Minh arrivedin the Soviet Union, and the place he first set foot in was Petrograd, which isnow Saint Petersburg.
Held by five central archival centers of the two countries atthe initiative of the Saint Petersburg Archival Committee, it displays manyprecious objects showing the bilateral friendship in multiple fields.
The exhibition is part of the ongoing Vietnam Week in Saint Petersburg./.