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In his opening speech, Mr Putin said that Russia considered Vietnam a major strategic partner in Asia. He expressed confidence that the countries had the capability to create a strong foundation for further cooperation.

President Tran Duc Luong presented President Putin, Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko and Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov with Vietnamese state awards.

Following the dinner, they attended a gala concert given by Vietnamese artists and musicians many of whom had received their education in the Soviet Union and Russia. The programme of the concert included music by Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sergei Prokofiev and Alexander Borodin, as well as Russian and Vietnamese national songs. Mark Gorenshtein conducted the symphony orchestra of the Hanoi National Conservatory.