Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize honors Vietnamese top leader To Lam for promoting peace, humanity

From Moscow, Russian Vietnamologist Anatoly Sokolov wrote for Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper about the event.

The decision to present the award to the Vietnamese leader was approved with a high degree of consensus by an international jury including representatives from Russia, Argentina, China, Belarus, India, South Africa, Japan and France.

The award decision was previously announced on July 24 by Pierre de Gaulle, vice-chairman of the jury and grandson of former French President Charles de Gaulle.

The award ceremony honoring the Vietnamese leader was formally held in Moscow on September 9.

The world is currently undergoing major geopolitical changes, with instability in many parts of the planet, many lives lost and peace disrupted.

Against this backdrop, the choice of the latest Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize laureate is entirely appropriate and historically grounded.

As Vietnam’s leader, To Lam is doing everything possible amid these difficult circumstances. He is a quiet mediator capable of negotiating with both sides of any conflict.

As the leader of a country that has endured many challenges posed by war, he understands, not only through words but also through actions, the true value of human life, peace and creativity.

The importance of Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s personal efforts should be emphasized not only for Vietnam’s modern development but also for stability across the Asia-Pacific region.

Under his leadership, Vietnam has undergone significant changes, including state administrative reforms, while he has supported an open security architecture centered on ASEAN and free from the influence of competition between blocs.

Therefore, he is deserving of an award named after the great Russian writer and humanist Lev Tolstoy.

The award recognizes the role of Vietnam and To Lam personally in strengthening peace, cooperation and mutual understanding among peoples.

It also reflects recognition of Vietnam’s achievements in development and international integration, the country’s contributions to promoting traditions of peace and humanity, and Hanoi’s commitment to dialogue.

More than 100 years ago, in 1922, Vietnamese patriot and revolutionary Nguyen Ai Quoc read Lev Tolstoy’s novel Father Sergius and was deeply impressed by the great Russian writer’s realism and profound humanism.

The resonance between their ideas serves as a bridge connecting two centuries.

Today, Lev Tolstoy’s humanistic spirit is once again linked with Vietnam as the award honors a contemporary Vietnamese leader, To Lam, who is devoting his energy and efforts to protecting Vietnam’s national interests and prosperity.

In this continuing historical connection, it is particularly meaningful that on September 8 in Moscow, the Vietnamese delegation led by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam laid a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh monument and then at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

This was a profound expression of gratitude for the long-standing and enduring relationship between Russia and Vietnam.

The Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize is named after Lev Tolstoy, Russia’s great writer, a renowned advocate of peace whose philosophy placed great importance on moral values and compassion.

The Lev Tolstoy International Peace Prize was established in 2022 by the Russian Historical Society, the Russian Peace Foundation and the Russian Military Historical Society.

The award is presented annually to recognize contributions to strengthening friendship among peoples and preventing war.

Its recipients are politicians, diplomats and public figures who have made significant contributions to world peace.