President greets former Soviet Union veterans President Truong Tan Sang hosted a reception in Hanoi on December 4 for 30 veterans from countries of the former Soviet Union including Russia, Ukraine and Belarus that helped Vietnam during its struggle for national liberation more than 40 years ago. Delegates recalled their memories of fighting side-by-side with Vietnamese soldiers in the struggle, stressing that it was their noble duty and honour. They highly valued the country’s achievements in its national renewal, and expressed their hopes that the tradition of patriotism and revolutionary heroism nurtured by the veterans, Vietnamese soldiers and people will encourage younger generations to follow their example. They said they hope to contribute to maintaining and improving the friendship between Vietnam and other countries. At the reception, Sang thanked the people of the countries of the former Soviet Union, including veterans, for their great support to Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation, appreciating the delegation’s visit on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the “Hanoi-Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory, which is a milestone marking Vietnam’s triumph with the great contributions of the veterans. Vietnam’s achievements reached in the national renewal are inseparable from the veterans’ sacrifices and contributions in the past, Sang said. The leader expressed his belief that the veterans will continue contributing to lifting the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Source: VNA