Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Đặng Minh Khôi (left) meets with Head of the Republic of Kalmykia Batu Khasikov on February 4 (local time). — VNA/VNS Photo

MOSCOW — Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Đặng Minh Khôi hosted a reception in Moscow on February 4 for a high-level delegation from the Republic of Kalmykia, a republic of the Russian Federation, led by its head Batu Khasikov.

The two sides exchanged New Year greetings. Khôi said that Buddhism, the state religion of Kalmykia, has cultural and spiritual connections to Việt Nam, and many Vietnamese traditions resonate with Kalmyk customs.

He noted that Buddhism, alongside other religions, is thriving in Việt Nam. While not all Vietnamese are Buddhists, approximately 80 per cent of the population holds Buddhism in high regard, viewing its teachings as a path to a virtuous and meaningful life.

As this year’s annual World Buddhist Forum will be held in Kalmykia, and the Kalmyk leadership is eager to invite Vietnamese representatives, Khôi emphasised that this will not only provide an excellent opportunity for exchange for Buddhists and scholars but also highlight shared cultural aspects such as traditional martial arts. It will also serve as a platform to explore cooperation in areas like Buddhist tourism and Buddhist education, he said.

Khasikov expressed full support for the Vietnamese ambassador’s proposal, noting that Kalmykia hopes the forum will strengthen ties with Việt Nam and help open doors for broader cooperation. Despite differences in Buddhist practices between the two countries, Khasikov affirmed that Kalmykia is open to all Buddhist traditions.

Kalmykia also has substantial potential in tourism, ranking 7th in Russia for the fastest-growing number of visitors, and is actively developing infrastructure in this sector. Education is another area ripe for collaboration. Kalmykia’s federal universities are strong in agriculture, livestock, genetics, and breeding, and both sides can exchange expertise in rice cultivation. Additionally, Kalmykia remains rich in untapped natural resources, including oil, gas, and metals, and is keen to attract foreign investment.

Both sides agreed to support the participation of a Vietnamese delegation at the upcoming World Buddhist Forum and explore new opportunities for cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest.

Kalmykia has an area of more than 76,000 sq.km and has a population of 275,000, primarily ethnic Kalmyks of Mongol descent, who practice Buddhism. Situated in southern Russia, just north of the majestic Caucasus Mountains, Kalmykia’s capital, Elista, is over 1,200 km from Moscow. — VNS