The event was attended by leaders and former leaders of the Parties and States of both countries; members of the high-level Cuban delegation; officials and staff of the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam; Cuban experts, entrepreneurs, and students in Vietnam; representatives of ministries, agencies, political and social organizations; members of parliamentary friendship groups; the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association; former Vietnamese students who had studied and worked in Cuba; along with international friends.
The celebration was organized by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and related agencies. It took place in the atmosphere of nationwide celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day, and in the context of the State visit to Vietnam by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. This was an important milestone, reaffirming the special, loyal, and rare solidarity in international relations that had been nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Leader Fidel Castro.
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| President Luong Cuong and his spouse, together with First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his spouse, viewed a photo exhibition marking 65 years of Vietnam–Cuba diplomatic relations. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Today, Cuba still stands ready to shed its own blood for Vietnam
Speaking at the ceremony, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez emphasized that it was a special honor to be present in Vietnam - a heroic and admirable nation, to celebrate the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s Declaration of Independence.
He affirmed that the August Revolution and the historic victory of the Vietnamese people shook the foundations of colonialism in Asia, giving birth to the first democratic republic in Southeast Asia under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the great leader Ho Chi Minh.
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| President Luong Cuong and his spouse; First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his spouse, attended the ceremony marking 65 years of Vietnam–Cuba diplomatic relations. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
Recalling Cuban national hero José Martí’s words in 1889 about the yearning for freedom of the Annamese people, the Cuban President remarked that history had proven this spirit through the victory at Dien Bien Phu, the resistance war against the United States, and the cause of national reunification. Vietnam’s resounding triumphs echoed across the world and won admiration from humanity. Together with the Cuban Revolution and other heroic peoples, they stood as testimony to the indomitable will to achieve independence, sovereignty, and social justice.
He reviewed the close journey shared by the two peoples: Cuba was the first country in Latin America to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam (1960); founded the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam (1963); and welcomed Vietnamese students as early as 1961. In particular, the image of Leader Fidel Castro raising high the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam in Quang Tri in 1973 remains an immortal symbol.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel emphasized that the relationship transcends all diplomatic formalities, becoming a model and a symbol of international solidarity.
"Leader Fidel Castro once declared: ‘For Vietnam, Cuba is ready to shed its own blood.’ Today, we reaffirm that this relationship and this sentiment remain steadfast, and that for Vietnam, Cuba still stands ready to shed its own blood,” he stated.
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| First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, delivering remarks at the ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of Vietnam–Cuba diplomatic relations. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
He reviewed recent highlights in cooperation: the visit to Cuba by General Secretary To Lam (September 2024); the visit to Cuba by Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, and Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Nguyen Xuan Thang (May 2025); political consultations; meetings of the Intergovernmental Committee; cooperation in agriculture, biotechnology, energy, banking, and finance. Vietnam is currently one of Cuba’s largest investment partners in the Asia-Pacific region.
On this occasion, he expressed heartfelt gratitude for the great support of the Vietnamese people in the recent fundraising campaign in support of the Cuban people, affirming that this was a noble gesture, a vivid testament to Vietnam’s faithful and steadfast affection for Cuba.
Solidarity with Cuba Comes from the Heart
Speaking at the celebration, President Luong Cuong stated that 65 years ago, on December 2, 1960, Vietnam and Cuba established diplomatic relations, a historic milestone marking the beginning of an exemplary and rare relationship between two nations in international history. Sharing the noble ideals of national independence and socialism, guided by the thought of Hero José Martí, Leader Fidel Castro, and the great President Ho Chi Minh, and under the leadership of the two Communist Parties, generations of leaders, officials, and peoples of both countries have diligently nurtured a pure and loyal Vietnam-Cuba relations, steadfastly overcoming all trials and upheavals, continuously developing in both breadth and depth, and contributing to the just causes of the two nations.
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| State President Luong Cuong delivered remarks at the ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
He recalled memorable milestones: Cuba was the first country to recognize the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, approving and supporting the Front in establishing a diplomatic mission in Havana. Cuba was also the first nation to send an ambassador to the liberated zone and present credentials to the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam. On September 25, 1963, the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam, chaired by the Moncada heroine Melba Hernandez, was established, playing an important role in mobilizing and organizing all strata of Cuban society to engage in solidarity and support activities for Vietnam. Especially unforgettable were Fidel Castro’s immortal words in 1966: “For Vietnam, Cuba is ready to shed its own blood” and his historic visit to Quang Tri in 1973, which left a profound mark in history.
After national reunification in 1975, Cuba continued to support Vietnam in constructing essential economic and social projects such as roads, schools, hospitals, poultry and cattle farms, hotels, and more, while also training thousands of Vietnamese cadres and engineers in construction, architecture, agriculture, and linguistics. Entering the Doi Moi period, the two countries continued to stand shoulder to shoulder, sharing experiences and providing practical support: from rice grains, sweet sugar, plant and livestock varieties, and Cuba’s COVID-19 vaccines, to cooperation in agriculture, aquaculture, and coffee development in Cuba with Vietnam’s assistance.
President Luong Cuong emphasized: “The golden rice fields in the provinces of Pinar del Río and Matanzas (Cuba) today are not only proof of the achievements of the new cooperation model between our two countries, but also fields of friendship that further deepen the bond between our two peoples. At the same time, they provide us with practical grounds and firm confidence that Cuba is fully capable of ensuring self-sufficiency, guaranteeing food security, overcoming all difficulties and challenges, and building a prosperous, wealthy, and happy nation.”
Recalling President Ho Chi Minh’s words: “Vietnam and Cuba are tens of thousands of miles apart, but the hearts of the two countries' people are as close as brothers in a family.” and Leader Fidel Castro’s statement: “The Vietnam-Cuba relationship is a special, unprecedented relationship and a model of international relations”, President Luong Cuong affirmed: “The Party, State, and people of Vietnam always deeply treasure and remember the solidarity and heartfelt support that Cuba has given to Vietnam during the struggle for national liberation and reunification in the past, as well as in today’s cause of building and defending Vietnam socialist Fatherland. Solidarity with Cuba comes from the heart and is embedded in the thoughts of every Vietnamese. Vietnam has always and will continue to attach special importance to relations with Cuba, constantly consolidating, nurturing, and developing the comprehensive cooperative ties between our two countries, for the benefit of our peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in our regions and in the world.”
On this occasion, President Luong Cuong extended his congratulations to Cuban revolutionary leader General Raúl Castro, the leadership, and the people of Cuba, expressing his confidence that the heroic Cuban nation will overcome difficulties and continue to achieve new victories.
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| President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son at the ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of Vietnam–Cuba diplomatic relations. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
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| A performance at the ceremony celebrating the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations. (Photo: Dinh Hoa) |
As part of the celebration, delegates watched the documentary “65 years sharing the same heartbeat” and enjoyed a special art program to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations.
Source: Vietnamtimes
