From the History of the Far Eastern Soviet-Vietnamese Friendship Societies (1980s – Early 1990s)

The article examines the history of intercultural interaction between the inhabitants of the Soviet Far East and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the 1980–1990s. The authors elucidate the structure and functions of the public organization “Union of Soviet Societies for Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries”, within which regional branches of the Soviet-Vietnamese Friendship Society were formed. The reasons and conditions for the creation of these Societies in the Far East are investigated. On the example of the Amur branch of the Soviet-Vietnamese Friendship Society, the types of its activities are considered, among which are: the organization of teaching the Russian language, youth evenings, exhibitions of folk art, lectures, international meetings. It is emphasized that not only its members, but also students and public figures were involved in the work of the Soviet-Vietnamese Friendship Societies. The contribution of the Soviet-Vietnamese Friendship Societies to the formation of a tolerant perception of Vietnam and attitudes towards Vietnamese labor migrants is assessed.