Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and the Vietnamese delegation pay floral tribute at the Hồ Chí Minh Square in Moscow, Russia on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photos Dương Giang

MOSCOW — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and his entourage laid flowers in tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh at the late leader's monument in Moscow on Monday morning as part of their ongoing official visit to Russia.

The PM and delegation observed a solemn moment of remembrance for President Hồ Chí Minh – a great leader, national hero and great man of culture, who laid the foundation for the friendship between Việt Nam and the former Soviet Union, now the Russian Federation.

They reaffirmed their determination to preserve and promote the enduring ties with Russia and its people, and further deepen the Việt Nam–Russia relationship in a more substantive, effective and close manner.

The Hồ Chí Minh Monument, situated in Hồ Chí Minh Square in Moscow’s Akademichesky District, symbolises the enduring friendship between Việt Nam and Russia. It was unveiled to mark the 100th birth anniversary of President Hồ Chí Minh.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and the Vietnamese delegation pose for a commemorative photo in front of the Hồ Chí Minh Monument in Moscow.

Designed by sculptor Vladimir Efimovich Tsigal and architect Roman Grigoryevich Kananin, the work draws on imagery of the sun and bamboo – symbols of vitality and resilience of Việt Nam. Inscribed on the pedestal in Russian is one of President Hồ Chí Minh’s most famous sayings: “Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom.”

The monument is not only an artistic landmark but also a gathering place for the Vietnamese community in Russia, especially during major commemorative events. It has also become a popular destination for international visitors, helping to strengthen bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính meets with members of the Vietnamese community in Moscow at the Hồ Chí Minh Square

Earlier the same day, the Vietnamese Government leader also laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Alexander Garden, along the western wall of the Kremlin, paying tribute to Soviet soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Great Patriotic War from 1941 to 1945.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính lays a flower wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Moscow on Monday.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính review the guards of honour as he visits the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Moscow

The memorial, inaugurated on May 8, 1967, is one of Russia’s most sacred sites. Since 1997, under a decree of the Russian President, the Kremlin Regiment’s guard-changing ceremony has been held here every hour. The solemn ritual has become a prominent attraction for both local people and visitors. — VNA/VNS