National Assembly chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung on March 9 arrived in St Petersburg, beginning an official visit to Russia at the invitation of Chairwoman of the Federation Council (Upper House) of Russia’s Federal Assembly Valentina Matviyenko.  

NA chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and St Petersburg's acting governor Igor Divinsky

Immediately after his arrival, Hung met with Igor Divinsky, acting governor of St Petersburg, who said the city is willing to cooperate with localities of Vietnam in the areas of economy, culture, tourism and education, contributing to a more fruitful and effective cooperation between the two countries’ ties.

Chairman Hung affirmed that his visit aims to further foster and deepen the traditional relations and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two States, Assemblies and peoples of Russia and Vietnam.

He reiterated that Russia is the leading important partner in the foreign policy of Vietnam, and suggested that St Petersburg increase cooperation with the capital city of Hanoi, the southern Ho Chi Minh city and the central province of Nghe An, particularly in protecting cultural values as well as tapping tourism potential.

He also asked St Petersburg to continue support and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese expatriate community to have a stable life and live in harmony with the locals, contributing to the development of the host city as well as the friendship between the two countries.

Russia is the first leg of the NA Chairman’s tour to three European countries which later will take him to Germany and Poland.

VNA