Ho Chi Minh square inaugurated in Russia

THE HANOI TIMES — The city of St. Petersburg, Russia on July 29 inaugurated the Ho Chi Minh Square in the Vyborg District, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Russia.

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam, attended the inauguration ceremony with a large group of Vietnamese expatriates and Russian friends.

The ceremony transpired in a solemn atmosphere as the square's nameplate was unveiled alongside a memorial plaque honoring President Ho Chi Minh, a national liberation hero and world cultural figure recognized by UNESCO.

Many Russian citizens and members of the Vietnamese community laid flowers to express their deep respect for the Vietnamese leader.

St. Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov emphasized that the square symbolizes the enduring friendship and mutual respect between the two peoples.

This naming marks an addition to the existing tributes to President Ho Chi Minh in the city, which include a street named after him since 1978, a statue, and a dedicated museum space at Secondary School No. 488.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi, these landmarks reflect the Russian people's profound respect for President Ho Chi Minh and symbolize the lasting friendship between Vietnam and Russia.

On the same day, Ly visited Secondary School No. 488, which houses a Ho Chi Minh exhibition. Students performed traditional dances and recited Vietnamese poems, and introduced the displayed artifacts in Vietnamese.

She presented the school with a statue of President Ho Chi Minh, books, a model of his stilt house, and badges bearing his image. She encouraged the students to study hard and help preserve the friendship between Vietnam and Russia.