Russian Expert Proposes 'Red Journey' for Vietnam-Russia Youth Exchange

Amidst the continuous consolidation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Russia, enhancing people-to-people exchanges, especially between the youth of both nations, holds significant importance in cultivating the social foundation for bilateral relations. In an interview with a resident correspondent of Nhan Dan newspaper in Russia, Associate Professor, Doctor, and First Vice Chairman of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association, Petr Tsvetov, proposed the establishment of a "Red Journey" for Vietnamese and Russian youth. This initiative aims to take young people from both countries to historical sites associated with the history of cooperation and the footprints of President Ho Chi Minh in Russia. According to Mr. Tsvetov, relations between Vietnam and Russia have seen considerable development in recent years, with numerous agreements signed across various fields. To ensure the long-term sustainability of these cooperative outcomes, he emphasized the need for stronger people-to-people diplomacy alongside state diplomacy. Mr. Tsvetov particularly highlighted the role of the younger generation in strengthening bilateral relations. Drawing parallels from the Vietnam-China youth "Red Journey," which involves young people from both nations participating in activities to learn about historical sites and shared events, he suggested that Vietnam and Russia could implement a similar initiative and model. He noted that Moscow possesses many locations linked to President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary life and activities, including places where he worked and resided. Cities like Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok also bear his historical footprints. Such a journey, the Russian expert believes, would not only help Vietnamese and Russian youth better understand the history of their bilateral relations but also provide opportunities for direct interaction, thereby fostering new connections and consolidating friendship among the peoples of the two countries. Beyond people-to-people diplomacy, Mr. Tsvetov also underscored the crucial role of media in enhancing mutual understanding, urging media agencies in both Russia and Vietnam to continue dedicating more attention to introducing each other's countries, people, and cooperation opportunities. Training a New Generation of Human Resources Expanding on the theme of people-to-people diplomacy, Mr. Petr Tsvetov suggested that education and human resource training also require adjustments to meet the evolving demands of Vietnam-Russia relations. He mentioned that Russia has provided thousands of scholarships to Vietnamese students over the years, but this program has not yet reached its full potential. Contributing factors include the financial burden of travel and living expenses for many Vietnamese families, coupled with limited scholarship amounts. He proposed that Russian universities should also enhance English language training for Vietnamese students. Possessing professional knowledge and proficiency in both Russian and English, he stated, would significantly broaden employment opportunities for graduates. Notably, Mr. Tsvetov suggested reconsidering the structure of training programs to align with Vietnam's new requirements. Instead of over-focusing on fields with a relatively abundant workforce, priority should be given to areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced technologies. He recommended allocating a certain percentage of scholarships for Vietnamese students to these high-demand sectors in Vietnam. Mr. Tsvetov stressed that the focus should not solely be on quantity but also on the effectiveness and quality of training. Selecting the right fields, strengthening foreign language skills, and aligning training programs with the development needs of each country would enhance the attractiveness of Vietnam-Russia educational cooperation. Within the broader context of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, he concluded that creating more direct connection channels between peoples, especially the younger generation, will contribute to building a solid social foundation for bilateral relations in the coming years.