HSE Vietnamese Students Visit Moscow Duma

On 7 February 2018, three Vietnamese students from HSE’s Faculty of World Economy & International Affairs and the Faculty of Law took a trip to the Moscow Duma as a part of the joint programme run by the Moscow Administration and the Vietnamese Embassy.

More than 30 perspective Vietnamese students from leading Russian universities (including HSE University, MSU, MGIMO) were invited to participate in the event. The main aim of the trip was to give the younger Vietnamese generation an experience of Russia, with the aim of enhancing positive relations between the Russian Federation and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Students were welcomed by Nikolai Zubrilin, a member of the Moscow Duma, who gave a short presentation on current Russian politics. For many Vietnamese students, it was their first interaction with a member of parliament. At the meeting, they asked questions concerning the Russian governmental system, the upcoming presidential election to be held in March 2018, and the various roles of the members of the Moscow Duma.

Students were given a tour of the most important halls in the Duma’s building, after which they watched a movie about the history of State Duma and enjoyed an art exhibition. Overall, the visit was very informative and interesting.

Giang Dinh, a student at HSE’s Master’s programme in International Relations: European and Asian studies, said that he was very happy with the Moscow Duma visit, as it is a very important governmental building. ‘I am doing research on the Russian-Vietnamese relationship, and talking with the member of the Moscow Duma helped me understand more about the political atmosphere in Russia and the reasons for Russia’s policy on Vietnam’, he added.

Another Vietnamese student from the same Master’s programme, Hue Vi, was very impressed with Nikolai Zubrilin’s personal success story and how he became a deputy of the Moscow Duma. ‘Thanks to him, I have seen how a politician can build his career, and this will help me in the future. During the visit, I also learnt about the t history of State Duma and discussed many issues related to socio-economic development.’

Manh Hung Nguyen, a student at the HSE Faculty of Law, said that it was an interesting visit. He liked the architecture of the Duma building very much. ‘I was excited to discover the place where all laws are made. As a law student, I asked the Moscow deputy some questions concerning the Constitution and the presidential election. I was very satisfied with his answers.’