In Moscow, the building where VPA troops stay is next to those for the Chinese, Lao and Myanmar military delegations. During evening breaks, I often took the opportunity to chat with young men from these militaries to learn more about their thoughts. The stories were endless. What I learned from those conversations was that regardless of nationality, skin colors, cultures, the young men have things in common: national pride, love for their home town, their motherland, readiness to dedicate themselves to the Fatherland and to protect the independence and freedom of their country, for peace of humanity. They all exude youthful enthusiasm, the ability to spread positive energy to those around them and each of them nurtures the love for peace.
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Vietnamese troops practice for the Red Square Parade. |
Stepanov, a second-year cadet of the Department of Translation and Interpretation of the Military Academy under the Ministry of Defense of Russia, is among those assigned to give assistance to the VPA delegation. Stepanov is studying Vietnamese and had three months studying at the Military Science Academy under the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam. During his study in Vietnam, Stepanov visited some famous places in the North and acquired interesting knowledge about Vietnam, its people, street food, cultural and historical relics, and typical cultural features of Hanoi.
The Russian cadet shared that he loves mango smoothies in cafés in Hanoi. He loved wandering around, taking photos at the West Lake, visiting the Vietnam Military History Museum, and riding a motorbike to explore the streets. “Vietnamese people are open and friendly, the scenery is beautiful and the food is delicious and diverse. I really hope to have the opportunity to return to Vietnam to continue exploring your culture and country,” Stepanov excitedly said.
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The VPA delegation in break-time |
One of the first challenges that international delegations confront in Russia is the rapid climate change. Moscow is now in transitional period from winter to summer. It remains very cold outside, sometimes down to 0 degrees Celsius. However, it is always warm inside thanks to the heating system installed everywhere, from the hallways, along the walkways, to each room. In addition, the glass doors have two layers blocking the wind and cold outside and keeping the heat inside.
Except for the snowy days, the air is quite dry, the humidity is low, and it is cold but sunny during the day. If you do not use moisturizer, your skin will crack very quickly. Due to frequent high-intensity outdoor training, the cheeks of young Vietnamese soldiers had hat straps. Their skin peeled like a sunburned beachgoer often faces. But perhaps, the abundant energy of youth made those faces recover quickly, always radiant and happy.
More surprisingly, as Stepanov revealed, at this time of the year, only the suburbs of Moscow where we are staying has snow. There is no snow fall in the center of Moscow.
Another impression was the kindness, thoughtfulness, and dedication of Russian friends, from the liaison officers, the guard officers, to the janitors at the building for the VPA delegation.
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Young servicemen of the VPA formation |
Perhaps due to the pressure and intensity of the task, everyone kept a serious, even unapproachable appearance at first. However, after only a few days of contact, everyone became cheerful.
“Vietnamese people are so cute, always friendly, open and always stay ready to support those around them. You are beauty queens of friendship,” Stepanov wittily commented. Small things, such as greetings to snow shovelers and flower growers, receiving food with both hands and thanks to waiters, have built up the growing good feelings of international friends for Vietnamese troops day-by-day.
Attentively, during the first rehearsal at the Red Square, many young foreign troops and security officers in military police uniforms came to talk and ask for group photos with Vietnamese peers. Proudly, the formation of Vietnamese troops also left impressions with their physique and height, uniforms, decisive disciplined demeanor and radiant faces. The young servicemen different in nationalities and uniforms stood close, with hands making hearts and bright smiles was probably the most beautiful image at the Red Square, a historical mark of Russia.
By Ha Phuong (from Moscow, Russia)
Translated by Mai Huong