(VOVworld)-The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia has conferred the State’s Friendship Order to the Chairman of Russian Veterans’ Association in recognition of his contribution to promoting bilateral ties. Nikolai Kolesnik was one of the first military experts to come to Vietnam in 1965 to help the air force and air defense to fight against US bombardments. After the war, he had many initiatives to promote bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding. Ambassador Pham Xuan Son was speaking at the ceremony: “The Friendship Order represents the Vietnamese people’s respect and gratitude to Russian people and soldiers who had been with us in the national defense and struggle for independence. This is in recognition of Nikolai Kolesnik’s contribution to promoting bilateral relations.”