Ninh Binh strengthens connections and expands cooperation with partners in the Russian Federation.

* In Saint Petersburg, the delegation, together with the city authorities, solemnly laid flowers at the Monument to President Ho Chi Minh, expressing their profound respect and boundless gratitude to the great leader of the Vietnamese nation; they also visited and met with the principal and students of High School 488 - a place that preserves many valuable images and documents about President Ho Chi Minh and is a shining example in educating the younger generation of Russia about the traditional friendship between the two nations.

During their working visit to Saint Petersburg, the provincial delegation held a meeting with the Saint Petersburg City Legislative Council. The Chairman of the Saint Petersburg City Legislative Council, Belski Alexander Nicolaievich, received and worked with the delegation.

In his welcoming remarks to the delegation, the Chairman of the Saint Petersburg City Legislative Council, Belski Alecxandr Nicolaievich, expressed his pleasure in welcoming the Ninh Binh Provincial delegation and stated that the meeting took place immediately after the first session of the 8th Legislative Council, and was also the first international meeting of the new term. The Chairman of the City Legislative Council emphasized that cooperation with elected bodies of Vietnamese localities holds an important position in the foreign relations activities of the City Legislative Council. Currently, the Saint Petersburg City Legislative Council has partnerships with the People's Council of Khanh Hoa Province and the People's Council of Hanoi City.

The Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Legislative Council affirmed that the city always values ​​its friendly relations with Vietnamese localities, and is ready to expand channels of connection, strengthen the exchange of experience in the operation of elected bodies and urban governance, and share experiences in preserving and promoting the value of world heritage sites with Ninh Binh province.

Expressing sincere gratitude for the thoughtful and respectful reception and warm sentiments extended by the Chairman of the Saint Petersburg City Legislative Council and the delegates to the delegation, Mr. Le Quoc Chinh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, stated that the visit took place in the context of the continuously strengthening and developing comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation. In particular, the recent State visit to the Russian Federation by General Secretary and President To Lam further consolidated political trust and opened up many new avenues of cooperation. Ninh Binh province wishes to concretize these common orientations through increased exchanges, practical cooperation, and collaboration between localities.

Introducing Ninh Binh, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council stated that the province is one of the important growth poles of the Red River Delta region. In 2025, the province's GRDP growth rate is projected to reach 10.65%; in the first six months of 2026, it is expected to reach 11.44%, leading the Red River Delta region and ranking second nationwide. Besides economic development, Ninh Binh possesses the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex – a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site. The province consistently pursues an economic development orientation that is closely linked to heritage preservation, environmental protection, and community-centered development.

The comrade suggested that both sides enhance the sharing of experiences regarding the organization and operation of elected bodies; focusing on the functions, tasks, and operating methods of the Saint Petersburg City Legislative Council and the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Council; experiences in organizing sessions, the activities of specialized committees, delegates, and the process of considering and deciding on important issues within their jurisdiction. At the same time, both sides should share experiences in formulating local development policies and monitoring their implementation; specifically, reviewing socio-economic development programs, managing budgets and public resources; receiving and processing voter petitions; and especially experiences in balancing industrial and urban infrastructure development with heritage preservation, environmental protection, and sustainable tourism development.

He expressed his belief that the visit and working session would open an effective channel of connection between the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Council and the Saint Petersburg City Legislative Council, contributing to strengthening mutual understanding and promoting friendly relations and cooperation between the two localities; thereby making a practical contribution to the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

Continuing their program in Saint Petersburg , the Ninh Binh Provincial Delegation held a working session with the Saint Petersburg City Foreign Affairs Committee. Receiving and working with the delegation was Mr. Vyacheslav Gennadievich Kalganov, Vice Chairman of the City Foreign Affairs Committee.

During the exchange with the delegation, Mr. Vyacheslav Gennadievich Kalganov, Vice Chairman of the City's Foreign Affairs Committee, provided an overview of the city's functions, tasks, organizational model, and foreign affairs activities. He also shared experiences in implementing international cooperation activities at the local level, maintaining relations with foreign partners, and promoting exchanges in relevant fields.

Speaking at the meeting, Comrade Le Quoc Chinh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, respectfully thanked the leaders of the Saint Petersburg City Foreign Affairs Committee for taking the time to receive and exchange views with the delegation. He also requested the Foreign Affairs Committee to introduce the city's international cooperation orientations, support connecting Ninh Binh with suitable agencies, organizations, and businesses, thereby expanding cooperation activities in areas of mutual interest.

He also proposed promoting exchanges between specialized agencies of both sides in the fields of education and training, science and technology, trade, investment, and tourism. In particular, Ninh Binh wishes to strengthen the exchange of experience with Saint Petersburg in the preservation and restoration of cultural and architectural works, museum management, and sustainable heritage tourism development. Appreciating Saint Petersburg's experience in this field, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Le Quoc Chinh expressed his hope that the two sides would gradually develop concrete cooperation contents, contributing to expanding relations between Ninh Binh and Saint Petersburg.

* In Moscow, the Ninh Binh Provincial Delegation visited and held a working meeting with the Vietnamese Embassy in the Russian Federation.

On behalf of the Embassy, ​​Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Counselor and Head of the Political Section, briefed the delegation on Vietnam-Russia relations; the local situation; and outstanding achievements in cooperation between the two countries in the fields of politics and diplomacy, economy and trade, defense and security, education and training, science and technology, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. She also stated that the Embassy would support and facilitate Ninh Binh province in strengthening connections with agencies, organizations, localities, and partners in the Russian Federation; promoting information exchange and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, especially those with potential and strengths.

Speaking at the meeting, Comrade Le Quoc Chinh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, expressed his sincere gratitude to the staff of the Embassy for their thoughtful reception, assistance in connecting with partners, and preparation of the province's work program.

To ensure the working visit yields practical results, the comrade requested that the Embassy provide advice and information on the Russian region and partners to suggest appropriate topics for exchange; support Ninh Binh in connecting with localities, specialized agencies, universities, research institutes, and businesses in Russia in relevant fields, especially the activities of elected bodies, urban management, heritage preservation, industry, agriculture, science and technology, and human resource training. Support in promoting the image, potential, investment environment, and tourism products of Ninh Binh; connect the Vietnamese community, intellectuals, and Vietnamese businesspeople in Russia to participate in promoting cooperation with the province; and continue to support the province in maintaining contact and selecting feasible contents to implement after the working visit. Ninh Binh province will closely coordinate with the Embassy, ​​proactively provide information, and assign specialized agencies to effectively implement the agreed-upon contents.

The delegation's working visit to the Russian Federation contributed to strengthening connections between Ninh Binh and agencies, localities, and partners in the Russian Federation, while opening up suitable avenues for exchange and cooperation in the fields of elected bodies, foreign affairs, preservation and promotion of heritage values, tourism, education and training, science and technology, trade, and investment. This contributed to concretizing the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation, enhancing understanding, trust, and ties between localities, and making a practical contribution to consolidating and deepening the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.