Prime Minister of Mongolia Zandanshatar Gombojav received Gurragchaa Jugderdemid, Hero of the Mongolian People’s Republic and the Soviet Union, and Phạm Tuân, a fighter pilot of the Vietnam Air Force, the first Asian cosmonaut, and Hero of the Soviet Union and the People’s Armed Forces of Vietnam.

From March 22 to 30, 1981, the joint Soviet–Mongolian space mission Soyuz-39 was successfully carried out, making Mongolia the 10th country in the world to send its citizen into space. The Prime Minister extended congratulations to Hero Gurragchaa on the 45th anniversary of this historic event, recalling it as a moment of great national pride.

He noted that this was not merely a single flight, but a landmark event that opened a new chapter in Mongolia’s science, research, and international cooperation. The crew of Soyuz-39 worked aboard the Salyut-6 space station, successfully conducting numerous important experiments in the fields of medicine and biology, thereby making a tangible contribution to Mongolia’s scientific development.

Gurragchaa Jugderdemid, Hero of the Mongolian People’s Republic and the Soviet Union, and Phạm Tuân, fighter pilot of the Vietnam Air Force, the first Asian cosmonaut, and Hero of the Soviet Union and the People’s Armed Forces of Vietnam, trained together for two years from 1978 at the Soviet “Zvyozdni Gorodok" (Star City), where they formed a lasting friendship. They are attending, as distinguished guests, the international scientific conference on aerospace technology under the theme “Space Cooperation,” held in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the first Mongolian in space.

Mr. Phạm Tuân expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Zandanshatar for receiving him and noted that he feels a close affinity with Mongolia. He shared that he has visited Mongolia many times, first arriving in 1965, and even observed Mongolia from space. He added that he was pleased to return to participate in the celebrations marking the 45th anniversary of Mongolia’s first human spaceflight.

The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for meeting Pham Tuan, who flew into space in 1980 and is not only a national hero of Vietnam but also a figure of historic significance for Asia. He emphasized that the friendship between the two heroes is not only a personal bond but also a symbol that has strengthened the friendship between the peoples of Mongolia and Vietnam and continues to inspire future cooperation.

Published Date:2026-03-22