Inauguration of the Russian-Vietnamese Cultural Center in the "Northern Capital" of Russia

On July 28, in Saint Petersburg - the "Northern capital" of Russia, within the framework of a working trip to the Russian Federation, Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of General Secretary To Lam, visited the A.Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University (Herzen University) and cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Russian-Vietnamese Cultural Center there.

This is one of the cultural diplomacy activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly expressed her honor and emotion when attending the opening ceremony of the Russia-Vietnam Cultural Center.

The Lady emphasized that many generations of Vietnamese officials, intellectuals, engineers, doctors, artists, etc. have been trained at prestigious educational institutions in Russia, including many who studied at Herzen University itself.

Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly speaks at the event. (Photo: XUAN HUNG)

According to Madam Ngo Phuong Ly, in the context of a world full of changes and challenges, culture and art need to be affirmed as a thread connecting people with people, nations with nations. Because, overcoming all language or border barriers, works of music, cinema, theater, painting, sculpture, architecture, literature and many other art forms - even without translation - can still touch people's hearts, spreading positive messages through artistic perception.

“The establishment of the Russian-Vietnamese Cultural Center at a university with a long tradition and influence like Herzen University is of great significance. This will be a space for the exchange of two rich cultures, where students, lecturers and those who love Vietnam can learn more deeply about the country, people, language and art of Vietnam,” the General Secretary’s wife affirmed.

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly believes that with a solid foundation and broad vision, Herzen University will continue to be a reliable address for generations of Vietnamese students to study and research, and at the same time a bright spot in the educational cooperation between the two countries. The Russia-Vietnam Cultural Center will truly become a common home - a place where the intelligence, emotions and enthusiasm of those who love peace, love culture, and love the Vietnam-Russia friendship converge.

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly presented Herzen University with the painting Khue Van Cac – a symbol of the Vietnamese spirit of studiousness and respect for teachers. (Photo: XUAN HUNG)

Affirming that the inauguration of the Russia-Vietnam Cultural Center is an important event demonstrating the spirit of cooperation between Vietnam and the Russian Federation in many fields, Russian Deputy Minister of Education Andrey Korneev said that this Center will be a bridge of culture, art, music and language between the two countries, contributing to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

Mr. Sergey Tarasov, Rector of Herzen University, emphasized that the Russian-Vietnamese Cultural Center was established at the university based on decades of cooperation between the university and relevant units in Vietnam. Currently, the university has dozens of Vietnamese students studying majors such as literature, art, culture, and history. The association of Vietnamese alumni who studied at the university has also been established.

Mr. Sergey Tarasov shared that currently, many Russian students are interested in Vietnamese culture and language and wish to study and learn about Vietnam at Herzen University. In particular, during the preparation process for the establishment of the center, many lecturers and students brought documents, books, and images about Vietnam, with the desire to contribute to strengthening the connection between Russia and Vietnam.

“The Russian-Vietnamese Cultural Center will be the center of friendship and cooperation in the field of education between Vietnam and Russia,” affirmed Mr. Sergey Tarasov, adding that this will be a place to regularly introduce Vietnamese literary and artistic works, where young people from both countries can meet, exchange and share opinions and ideas.

On the occasion of visiting Herzen University, Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly, on behalf of the delegation, presented items to the school, including the book series “Ho Chi Minh with Vietnam-Russia friendship” and the painting of Khue Van Cac – a symbol of the spirit of studiousness and respect for teachers of Vietnam.

The First Lady attended the Painting Exhibition with the theme "Cultural Dialogue in the Language of Art". (Photo: XUAN HUNG)

The Lady also attended the Painting Exhibition with the theme “Cultural Dialogue in the Language of Art”, which displayed works from Vietnam by the late People's Artist Ngo Manh Lan, painter Vu Thai Binh, painter Doan Van Toi, and Russian painters Tuman Zhumabaev, Vladimir Kuzmichev and Dmitry Levitin.

Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly also attended a special art program performed by artists from Vietnam and students and lecturers of Herzen University. With 11 performances, the art program was a combination of artists and traditional musical instruments from both Vietnamese and Russian cultures.

Performance by Vietnamese students in the art program. (Photo: XUAN HUNG)

The program left an impression on the audience of both countries, showing the cultural and artistic beauty of each side and received endless applause and ended with a performance of traditional Vietnamese ao dai by students of Herzen University.

Herzen University is one of the leading educational institutions in Russia today. The school was founded in 1797 and is one of the largest and oldest universities in Russia.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/khanh-thanh-trung-tam-van-hoa-nga-viet-tai-thu-do-phuong-bac-nuoc-nga-20250729105325068.htm