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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin |
The delegation was welcomed by Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, Chairman of the Vietnam Sub-committee, and Co-Chairman of the Inter-governmental Coordinating Committee for the Vietnam – Russia Tropical Center.
The visit took place at a meaningful time, as Vietnam had just celebrated the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day. Vladimir Vladimirovich Yakushev, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia, attended the celebration, and the Russian Ministry of Defense sent a military contingent to join the parade at Ba Dinh Square. This was a vivid symbol of the solidarity between the two nations, forged through the trials of history.
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The two delegations visit the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center’s Hall-of-Fame. |
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The Vietnam – Russia Tropical Center is a highlight of effective bilateral cooperation. |
Earlier in September, Colonel General Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin, Russian Deputy Minister of Defense and Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien co-chaired the 8th Vietnam – Russia Defense Strategic Dialogue. Nikolai Platonovich Patrushev, Aide to the President and Chairman of the Maritime Board of the Russian Federation, also visited the Vietnam – Russia Tropical Center. In these meetings, the two sides discussed many issues of defense cooperation, including collaboration within the framework of the center.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Russia has been deepened in a substantive and effective manner across all fields. This was demonstrated by a series of high-level visits, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Vietnam in June 2024, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit in January 2025, and General Secretary To Lam’s attendance at the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in May 2025. During that visit, the Vietnam People’s Army also sent personnel to take part in the parade at Red Square. Notably, the two sides issued a Joint Statement on the major orientations for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new phase, highlighting the Vietnam – Russia Tropical Center as “one of the spotlights of effective cooperation, serving the socio-economic development tasks of both countries.”
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Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin and Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien visiting a laboratory at the Vietnam – Russia Tropical Center |
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Major General Dang Hong Trien, Director General of the Vietnam – Russia Tropical Center, presenting a souvenir to Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin |
The friendship and cooperation have been translated into practical actions. Russia has provided the center with two mobile testing vehicles to strengthen its capacity for research and monitoring of infectious diseases and emergency epidemic response. It has also donated modern equipment to enhance the center’s scientific and technological potential, including the research vessel Professor Gagarinsky, enabling in-depth studies on ecology and biodiversity in deep-sea and offshore areas.
Both sides are also strengthening technology transfer and completing procedures to establish a center for tropicalization of technical equipment and technological adaptation. These are considered breakthrough steps to accelerate the application and transfer of technology at the center.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Le Quang Minh receiving Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin at the Vietnam Military History Museum |
* Also on the afternoon of September 28 in Hanoi, Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin and the Russian delegation visited the Vietnam Military History Museum, accompanied by Senior Lieutenant General Le Quang Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Department of Political Affairs.
The outdoor exhibition area of the museum features a Monument to Solidarity, Friendship, and International Gratitude, consisting of five statue clusters dedicated to Soviet, Cuban, and Chinese military experts, as well as Lao and Cambodian international fighters. This work carries profound historical, cultural, and political value. It symbolizes sincere international solidarity and is vivid evidence to the great sacrifices and contributions of international friends to Vietnam’s cause of national liberation, reunification, and defense.
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A view of the museum’s outdoor exhibition area |
During the tour, Chairman Volodin and the Russian delegation were briefed on Vietnam’s struggles for independence and national construction and defense, as well as the valuable support of international friends in different historical periods. In particular, during the 30 years of war for national liberation and reunification from 1945 to 1975, the Soviet Union provided timely and effective material, spiritual, and military support, including weapons and equipment, and sent experts to help Vietnam achieve victory in the resistance war against the United States. The friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and the Soviet Union were crucial in strengthening peace and stability in the region and the world.
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Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin and Sr. Lt. Gen. Le Quang Minh with the delegations of both countries visiting the Vietnam Military History Museum |
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Delegation viewing fighter jet MiG-21, a National Treasure |
The delegation showed strong interest in exhibits of Soviet-supplied weapons used during the war, notably fighter jet MiG-21 F-96 (tail number 5121) and tank T-54B (number 843). The MiG-21, part of the Air Force Regiment 921 under Division 371, defended northern Vietnam’s skies from July to December 1972, shooting down five American aircraft, including a strategic bomber B-52 destroyed by pilot Pham Tuan on December 27, 1972, during the “Dien Bien Phu in the Air” campaign. In October 2012, the aircraft was recognized as a National Treasure by the Prime Minister.
Tank T-54B, also manufactured by the Soviet Union, belonged to Company 4, Battalion 1, Tank Brigade 203, Army Corps 2, under the command of Captain Bui Quang Than. It was one of the first two tanks, together with tank number 390, to crash through the gates of Independence Palace at noon on April 30, 1975.
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Delegations of both countries viewing tank T-54B, manufactured by the Soviet Union |
Recently, Russian delegations led by senior officials such as Nikolai Platonovich Patrushev, Vladimir Vladimirovich Yakushev, and Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin have also visited the Vietnam Military History Museum.
Translated by Tran Hoai