From June 10th to 12th, in Sofia, Prof.Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh had work meetings with Prof.Dr.Sc Ivan Ilchev (Rector of Sofia University) that is the best university in Bulgaria. Also participating in the meeting were Assoc.Prof.Dr Maria Stoicheva (Vice Dean of Faculty of Philosophy), Prof. Dr Plamen Mitev (Dean of Faculty of History), Prof. Dr Alexander Fedotoff (Director of Center for Asian Languages and Cultures). At this meeting, the two Rectors reiterated their commitment to promoting bilateral friendly relations according to Memorandum of Cooperation signed on September 4th, 2012. In particular, it was tentatively decided that a Center for Vietnamese Studies would be established (in October, 2014) at Sofia University. To this end, Sofia University would like to invite two lecturers from USSH to teach about History, Culture, Law and Vietnamese politics at the Center for Asian Languages and Cultures. In the near future, Sofia University would send its students to participate in short internships on Vietnamese language and studies at USSH.

Assoc.Prof.Dr Maria Stoicheva (Vice Dean of Faculty of Philosophy) expressed his desires for co–organizing international conferences and common research projects with USSH on issues of common interests such as civil societies in Bulgaria, religious issues, the socio–economic–cultural transition in Bulgaria and experiences for Vietnam. In 2015, Faculty of Philosophy, Sofia University will organize a regular workshop (in June) on European Union in Sofia and invite researchers and lecturers specializing in Europe from USSH to take part in.

Prof.Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh also visited the Library of Sofia University, which was the 2nd biggest one in Bulgaria with 2.5 million documents, including exquisite materials from the 17th century, and observed its botanical garden where there were valuable tree types. 

In Moscow, from June 13th to 17th, Prof.Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh visited and worked with leaders of Moscow State University of Culture and Arts. He was welcomed by Prof. Dr T.V. Kuznetsova (Interim Rector) and the vice rectors responsible for science, external affairs and training. Prof.Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh expressed his honest gratitude to Moscow State University of Culture and Arts for helping USSH train its staff on library information and culture. The two rectors signed a Memorandum of Understanding to officially commence bilateral relations in the future in the fields of library and information, literature, arts and film studies. The topic of preserving and promoting traditional culture in the context of globalization was also going to be included in an upcoming co–held research project or conference.   

In addition, Prof.Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh had a work meeting with experts on Vietnamese such as Dr. Evgeny Kobelev (Vice President of Vietnam – Russia Friendship Association) and Vice Director of the Center for ASEAN and Vietnamese studies and Dr. Anatoli A. Sokolov (Russian Academy of Sciences) to discuss about studies of the Vietnam East Sea and publication of studies of Vietnamese history and culture in Russia.

On the sidelines, Prof.Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh also visited the Lenin’s Mausoleum, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the History Museum, and met with representative of the Vietnamese Community in Russia to seek opportunities for cooperation between USSH and the community in educational and cultural exchanges.