The Russian Academy of Arts (RAA) has granted an “honorary membership” to Vietnamese painter Ngo Xuan Binh at a ceremony in Moscow on January 19.

On addressing the ceremony, the RAA’s Chairman Zurab Tsereteli said that this was in recognition of Binh’s talent and that the RAA was proud of him.

Binh was born in the central province of Nghe An in 1959 but has been living in Russia for over 10 years. He is one of the few foreigners to receive the title.

Previously, Binh was recognised as “national medicine professor” by the Russian Association of National Medicine (RANN) for his contributions to improving Russian health care services. (VNA)