Russian collectives and individuals are honoured for their contributions to the maintenance of President Ho Chi Minh’s remains at the ceremony in Moscow on May 28 (Photo: VNA)Moscow (VNA) – Vietnam has presented its Labour,Independence and Friendship Orders and Medals to two collectives and 23individuals of Russia in recognition of their contributions to the maintenanceof President Ho Chi Minh’s remains.
At a presentation ceremony in Moscow on May 28,a second-class Labour Order and a Friendship Order were respectively bestowedupon the Moscow biomedical research centre of the All-Russian ScientificResearch Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, and the Research Instituteof Rubber Industry JSC.
Independence Orders, Labour Orders, FriendshipOrders and Friendship Medals were also granted and posthumously granted to 23 individualswho were leaders of these agencies, scientists, the head of the Lenin Mausoleumand a former Russian ambassador.
The honours were awarded to mark 50 years sincethe Vietnamese leader passed away.
Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassadorto Russia Ngo Duc Manh said Vietnam received exceptional support from theSoviet Union’s people during the most trying times.
Thanks to that assistance, Vietnam built manybig structures, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Between 1973 and 1975,when the war was still going on, hundreds of Russian experts came to Vietnamand took part in the mausoleum construction.
[Photos: Timeless photos of President Ho Chi Minh]
Over the past 50 years, bilateral cooperationhas been sustained, ensuring the maintenance of the late President’s body, Manhnoted, adding that Vietnam is grateful for the help from the Soviet Union inthe past and Russia at present, and these honours demonstrate that gratitude.
Colonel Bui Hai Son, deputy head of the Ho ChiMinh Mausoleum’s management board, praised the coordination of Soviet Union andRussian experts with the board over the years.
He noted although Vietnamese scientists havemade breakthroughs in producing special medicinal products for the maintenance,Russia still continues assisting the board in staff training and technology transfer,thus helping with the mausoleum management.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and its location on BaDinh Square have become a political and historical centre of Hanoi and Vietnam.About 57 million people have paid tribute to the late President since themausoleum was opened in 1975, including 9 million foreigners. The relic sitewelcomes an average of 10,000 visitors per day, Son said.-VNA
VNA
