“Vietnam - Russia relationship is strategic, very friendly”

Senior Lieutenant General, Academician Nguyen Huy Hieu is the first person elected as the Academician of Military Sciences for the art of war by the Russian Academy of Sciences. At his 70s, he is still working hard for national defense and what he has been doing will continue to help build a strong relationship between Vietnam and Russia and develop Vietnam's military science and technology in particular. Vietnam Business Forum Magazine has an interview with Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Huy Hieu to learn more about this. Bui Lien reports.

Well-trained by Russia, you are honored for your contribution to military science, environment and humanitarian issues. Could you please tell us what are behind these successes and could you share a little about your love for Russia?

With my ongoing endeavors, from a soldier to a general, I was very keen on reading books even when I was a student and this helped me enrich knowledge for my military career. The books I have carried along until today include “Memories and Reflections” by Zhukov - a famous Russian general that helped me discover Russian culture and military, and especially “How the Steel Was Tempered”. The ideology of these literary works helped our generation drill our will and our verve and that verve helped me throughout my career, through today. I have read a lot of literary works on the Russian October Revolution and most impressively Russian culture. Russian culture influenced me not only through books, plays or information I accessed, but also as through a very vivid reality of a great Russia, the country of the October Revolution that I was fortunate enough to set foot in. I still vividly remember those feelings although I have been to Russia many times, the land where I have many memories and impressions, that is: the Red Square in Moscow, the endless golden autumn in the city of Odessa where there is the renowned Opera House, which plays the Swan Lake Classical Ballet, the city of Saint Petersburg with artworks, ancient museums and very special white nights.

Russia is not only a place that gave me military knowledge and science but, for me, it is forever a wonderful memory for me. Russian people always stay deep in my heart and give me the will of power. Just like Vietnamese people, they are the heroes of all times.

One bright evidence of effective cooperation in science and technology is the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center. Could you please tell us about it?

In science, I have been the co-chair of the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center for nearly nine years. The center focuses research on three directions: tropical endurance, tropical biomedicine and tropical ecology. The equipment used for research is supplied by the Russian side for intensive research on scientific applications for tropical environments like in Vietnam. Applied studies include tropical endurance, tropical biomedicine, tropical diseases, or dioxin sprayed by the United States in the war that hurts more than three million Vietnamese people, more than three million families suffering war consequences from generation to generation. The country will suffer if we do not deal with it thoroughly. Research results have been used to argue against American scientists, requesting the U.S. to take humanitarian responsibility for victims - from both Vietnam and the U.S. - who are affected by the poison. To date, the results are very clear. Because of these studies, the U.S. had to handle war consequences and detoxify dioxin contaminations in Da Nang Airport, Phu Cat Airport and Bien Hoa. If Vietnam had no knowledge of this or did not have the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center, it would be very difficult to fight with them in this regard.

 

The Vietnam - Russia friendship and cooperation has been strengthened and deepened. The Russian government and authorities are always eager to foster cooperation with Vietnam. These favorable conditions enable the center to deploy and implement its missions, deliver scientific and technical services and transfer technology. However, this is also its challenge to ensure that its facilities and human resources meet requirements of boosting bilateral scientific and technological cooperation.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Basic Principles of Friendly Relations and the 70th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations, what do you think about the Vietnam - Russia relationship?

Vietnam - Russia relationship is strategic, very friendly. Their ties originated from the October Revolution to the August Revolution and are now considered a cornerstone. History shows that the relationship between Vietnam, and the former Soviet Union and the present-day Russian Federation, is always warm, reliable and undying throughout all the challenges of time and twists and turns of history. The Soviet people always gave the Vietnamese people warm feelings and generous support. Although the Russian Federation has experienced many ups and downs, that relationship is still very, very strong. The two countries have always maintained strong multifaceted cooperation in military technology, culture, education, science and sports. Each year, hundreds of Vietnamese students go to study in Russia. Officials of all fields, especially army officers, scientists, military generals from the war time till now, including me, who were trained in Russia, remember most Russian culture, very fundamental training, and especially military knowledge. Currently, Russia is always at the forefront of technological races, especially in cyberspace, and Vietnam can creatively apply this basic knowledge to reality in every field.

In addition, many regular cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have helped consolidate and further strengthen the bonds of Vietnamese and Russian peoples. The multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the Russian Federation in the spirit of strategic partnership is not only for the sake of the two peoples but also for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.

Thank you very much and wish you good health to work for military science, for national economic development, for the Vietnam-Russia friendship and for peace-loving humanity!