Upon hearing the news that the VPA’s delegation would take part in the preliminary rehearsal of the upcoming parade at the Red Square in Moscow, hundreds of overseas Vietnamese and students in Russia gathered early at the location. Holding the Vietnamese national flag and the Russian flag in their hands, they waited in eager anticipation.
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The Vietnamese expatriates and students in Russia gather to welcome the VPA’s delegation. |
As the fleet of vehicles carrying the Vietnamese officers arrived, the whole crowd burst into a unified chant: “Vietnam! Vietnam!” They then together sang the Vietnamese song "Nhu co Bac Ho trong ngay vui dai thang” (As if Uncle Ho were here on the great victory day). The reunion between the expatriates and the Vietnamese officers made their hearts beat as one.
On behalf of the Vietnam Veterans Association and the Vietnamese community in Russia, Le Thi Kim Lien, a member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Veterans Association in Russia, extended her congratulations and encouragement to all officers of the VPA’s delegation. She also shared that she was deeply proud to witness the presence of the VPA at Red Square, wishing all of them great success in their missions.
The heartfelt wishes, tight handshakes, and the large presence of the Vietnamese community during the gathering in Moscow served as a vivid testament to the close ties between overseas Vietnamese and their homeland.
According to Le Thi Thuy Linh, a Vietnamese student in Moscow, after learning about the news of the VPA’s delegation, she and her friends gathered in the Red Square to encourage Vietnamese soldiers and demonstrate that no matter where the VPA is, Vietnamese people always stand by them, place complete trust and pride in them
“This is the first time a VPA delegation has appeared on Red Square for such a major Russian event. I feel so proud to see that Vietnam has built a firm position in the international arena with a bright future ahead,” Linh added.
All overseas Vietnamese gathering in Moscow shared the same sentiment that the presence of the VPA’s delegation at such an important international event as the parade at Red Square is a powerful symbol of an integrated and developed Vietnam, ready to actively contribute to international activities for peace and cooperation.
“The image of Vietnamese soldiers walking in the white snow of Moscow has been deeply imprinted in our minds, motivating us to try to study and train better to return to homeland and contribute to the cause of national construction,” said overseas student Nguyen Duc Vu.
On the occasion, Pham Thi Kim Oanh, Chairwoman of the Women’s Association at the Hanoi-Moscow Trade Center, presented 100 scarves to the VPA’s delegation to help the soldiers stay warm in Moscow’s freezing weather. Many other people also prepared small gifts for Vietnamese soldiers to encourage them to successfully complete their tasks.
For overseas Vietnamese and students in Russia, Vietnam’s deployment of a military delegation to participate in the Red Square Parade for the first time is an important milestone, reminding them to always look toward their roots, preserve their cultural identity, and make active contribution to the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Russia, as well as to the development of their homeland.
By Ha Phuong from Moscow, Russia
Translated by Quynh Oanh