Russia unveils monument to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers
A monument to the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers participating in the defence of Moscow in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) was unveiled at Patriot Park in the suburb of the Russian capital on August 12.
The monument depicts three Vietnamese soldiers standing guard in a defensive position to protect Moscow. (Photo: VNA)
Moscow (VNA) – A monument to the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers participating in the defence of Moscow in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) was unveiled at Patriot Park in the suburb of the Russian capital on August 12.
A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence led by Gen. Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence, attended the event.
The monument, titled “Allies – Vietnamese soldiers”, was sculpted by Alexey Chebanenko. It depicts three Vietnamese soldiers, namely Ly Nam Thanh, Ly Anh Tao, and Ly Thuc Chat, in the Soviet Union’s Red Army uniform standing guard in a defensive position to protect Moscow and fight till their last breath.
During 1926 - 1930, Nguyen Ai Quoc, later known as President Ho Chi Minh, introduced some patriotic Vietnamese youths to study in Moscow. When Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union, they voluntarily joined the international regiment of the independent motorised infantry brigade of special purpose (OMSBON), which was under the Soviet Union’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, to engage in the fight to safeguard Moscow.
In the 1941 - 1942 winter, volunteer soldiers of Vietnam joined the troops and people of the Soviet Union to dislodge the Nazi forces from Moscow. Thanh, Tao, and Chat laid down their lives on the battlefield.
In 1986, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet posthumously bestowed noble accolades on the soldiers.
In 2020, the Russian Ministry of Defence asked the Vietnamese side to coordinate to review and consider the possibility of providing more information about the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who took part in the defence of Moscow so as to add to the archives kept at the “Road of Memory” Museum at the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces in the Patriot Park.
The Vietnamese side also engaged in the monument sketching.
Officials from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence pose for a group photo in front of the monument. (Photo: VNA)
At the ceremony, Minister Giang emphasised that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence and the Vietnam People’s Army appreciate the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Russia for erecting the monument.
He said that this monument and the one to the Soviet Union/Russian and Vietnamese servicemen falling down for regional peace and stability in Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa province are demonstrations of the historical tradition and also symbols of the efforts in strengthening the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.
For his part, Viktor Goremykin, Deputy Minister of Defence and Director General of the Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces, highlighted the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers’ participation in the defence of Moscow, one of the important battles of the Great Patriotic War.
He expressed his belief that such monuments will help keep the historical memories of the Great Patriotic War and also enhance cooperation and friendship be✨tween the two coun🦄tries./.
Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang is leading a high-ranking delegation of the Ministry of National Defence on a working visit to Russia to attend the 10th International Military-Technical Forum (Army-2024) and inauguration ceremony of a monument dedicated to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who joined battles to defend Moscow in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945).
The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia hosted a get-together on August 5 to honor Soviet experts, especially those in military, who supported and accompanied the Vietnamese air defence and air force in their first days.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
