Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien chairs the flag-hoisting ceremony on Vessel 889 - “Professor Gagarinsky”
01/12/2025Within the framework of the 36th Session of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee (ICC) on the Joint Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center (VRTC), a flag-hoisting ceremony for Vessel 889 - “Professor Gagarinsky” was held in Hai Phong on the afternoon of December 1st. Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Minister of National Defense, Chairman of the Vietnamese Subcommittee, and Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee on VRTC, chaired the ceremony.
Attending the event on the Vietnamese side were Vice Chairperson and members of the Vietnamese Subcommittee; leaders of the Naval Service; and the Board of General Directors of VRTC.
On the Russian Federation’s side were Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Konstantin Ilyich Mogilevsky, Chairman of the Russian Subcommittee and Co-Chairman of the ICC on VRTC; officials of the Russian Embassy in Vietnam; representatives of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation; and representatives of relevant ministries, sectors and units.
Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien speaking at the ceremony. Photo: Pham Hung.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that, pursuant to the intergovernmental agreement on the transfer of the vessel’s ownership to Vietnam, signed during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin’s official visit to Vietnam in January 2025, a handover ceremony for the research vessel “Professor Gagarinsky” was held in Vladivostok, Russian Federation, on May 11th within the framework of the ICC Standing Session. With support from the Russian side, a Vietnamese crew then sailed the ship back to Vietnam, where it safely berthed on May 26th.
Mr Konstantin Ilyich Mogilevsky speaking at the ceremony.
“With the concerted efforts, determination, and close coordination of both Vietnam and Russia, the Vietnam People’s Navy, in cooperation with VRTC, is today solemnly holding the flag-hoisting ceremony for Vessel 889 - “Professor Gagarinsky”. The ship is now officially commissioned into the Naval Service with hull number 889, while its name, Professor Gagarinsky, is retained in Russian on the deck to honor and commemorate the eminent Russian scientist and to convey our deep appreciation for this highly meaningful gift from the Russian Federation,” Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed.
Delegates performing the flag-saluting ceremony. Photo: Pham Hung.
Delegates attending the ceremony. Photo: Pham Hung.
On behalf of the Ministry of National Defense and the Vietnamese Subcommittee, Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien expressed his grattitude to the Government of the Russian Federation, the Russian Subcommittee, V.I. Il'ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute of the Far Eastern Branch Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Scientific Research Fleet, and commended the Naval Service and VRTC for their close coordination in handing over, receiving, putting the vessel into operation and use in line with the plans of the ICC on VRTC. He emphasized that this vessel is not only a symbol of friendship, but also a source of inspiration for scientists of both sides to continue devoting their efforts for the benefit of the two countries.
An overview of the ceremony. Photo: Pham Hung.
The Vessel 889 - “Professor Gagarinsky” will significantly enhance the scientific research capabilities of both VRTC and the Naval Service. Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien expressed his belief that the two sides will closely cooperate to operate and employ the vessel in an efficient and substantive manner, and that, aboard this “common home at sea,” numerous important research projects will be implemented, thereby further deepening the long-standing, close cooperation within the framework of VRTC - a symbol of the traditional friendship between the two countries since the Soviet era.
Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien presenting the National Flag and the Flag of the Vietnam People's Navy to the commander of Ship 889 - “Professor Gagarinsky”. Photo: Pham Hung.
The flag-hoisting ceremony on Vessel 889 - "Professor Gagarinsky". Photo: Anh Thu.
On behalf of the leadership of the Ministry of National Defence and the Vietnamese Subcommittee, Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien tasked VRTC, the Vietnam People’s Navy, and their Russian partners with jointly developing an annual scientific research coordination program. He emphasized the need to ensure the effective maintenance, operation, and utilization of the vessel so that it can make substantive contributions to marine scientific research, thereby meeting the trust, expectations, and shared interests of both nations.
The handover of the Coordination Regulation on the Use of Ship 889 - "Professor Gagarinsky" between VRTC and the Navy Service. Photo: Pham Hung.
Delegates in a joint photo. Photo: Pham Hung.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Konstantin Ilyich Mogilevsky affirmed that the handover of Vessel 889 - “Professor Gagarinsky” will create favorable conditions and expand the operations of VRTC. He noted that this is one of the key bilateral cooperation events in 2025, as the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.He expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese side for retaining the vessel’s original name - “Professor Gagarinsky” - in honor of a distinguished scientist who was awarded numerous orders and high honors by the former Soviet Union. Mr Konstantin Ilyich Mogilevsky expressed his confidence that Vessel 889 - “Professor Gagarinsky” will continue to support marine scientific research missions effectively, thereby further deepening scientific and technological cooperation between the two nations.
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-te/doi-ngoai-quoc-phong/thuong-tuong-hoang-xuan-chien-chu-tri-le-thuong-co-tren-tau-889-giao-su-gagarinsky-1014693
Ngoc Nguyen translated
