Vietnam-Russia roundtable conference on language in diplomatic activities held
A hybrid roundtable conference titled “Experience in Diplomatic Activities: Vietnam – Russia Relations” took place on March 30 at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), under the auspices of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Former, current, and aspiring diplomats convened for the event.
Representatives from the Russian Embassy in Hanoi and the Russian Consulate General in Da Nang city were also in attendance, with the primary objective of exchanging experiences and addressing challenges related to language and interpretation.
During the conference, Ivan Nesterov, Counselor from the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Third Asian Department, provided an overview of recent significant milestones in Russia-Vietnam relations. Reflecting on his own experience studying Vietnamese language and culture, he highlighted the intricacies of learning an Asian language with few parallels to Russian, emphasizing Vietnam’s pivotal role in Russian foreign policy and citing promising sectors such as tourism and oil and gas for employment opportunities.
Doan Khac Hoang, Counselor at the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, concurred with optimistic forecasts for students pursuing Vietnamese studies, underscoring the importance of cultural understanding alongside language proficiency.
Maria Mizonova, Russian Consul General in Da Nang, emphasized the challenges inherent in mastering Vietnamese, attributing recruitment difficulties at the consulate to these complexities. She stressed the necessity of not only linguistic proficiency but also cultural sensitivity in navigating the diverse dialects and social dynamics across Vietnam.
Throughout the event, students expressed keen interest in global affairs and the bilateral relationship between Russia and Vietnam, while seasoned diplomats generously shared their insights and expertise.
