615 billion VND donated to support the Cuban people.

The fundraising campaign for the Cuban people, spearheaded by the Vietnam Red Cross Central Committee in coordination with various agencies and units, has garnered widespread support, raising 615 billion VND in 65 days. This information was announced at the closing ceremony of the fundraising campaign for the Cuban people and the awarding of prizes and performance of the winning entries in the songwriting contest "Vietnam - Cuba, the song of solidarity and friendship that resonates forever," held on October 18th in Hanoi.

With the theme "65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Friendship," the program, implemented from August 13th to October 16th, achieved results nearly 10 times higher than the initial target of 65 billion VND – the minimum amount mobilized to support the Cuban people in overcoming some of their difficulties. Immediately after the national launch ceremony, within just 30 hours, the program had completed its set goal, demonstrating the strong spread of Vietnam-Cuba solidarity among the people nationwide.

Mr. Do Van Chien, Member of the Political Bureau, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, delivered a speech at the closing ceremony of the campaign to support the Cuban people. (Photo: Vietnam Fatherland Front)

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Do Van Chien, Member of the Political Bureau , Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, affirmed that this program is of great significance, demonstrating the noble spirit of proletarian internationalism and the loyal affection between the two brotherly nations of Vietnam and Cuba.

"We all clearly feel the support from the elderly to the children, from the mountains to the lowlands, from all social classes and strata, who have supported the program with all their gratitude, appreciation, and cherish the close fraternal friendship between Vietnam and Cuba," said Mr. Do Van Chien.

Along with the material support, the songwriting contest "Vietnam - Cuba, the song of solidarity and friendship that will forever resonate," organized jointly by the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations , the Vietnam Musicians Association, and the Literature and Arts Times, received enthusiastic responses from hundreds of professional and amateur musicians and artists across the country, resulting in the creation of many emotionally rich works praising the friendship between Vietnam and Cuba. Many songs of high artistic value were selected, performed, and awarded prizes at the closing ceremony, serving as an artistic declaration of the steadfast friendship between the two nations.

According to Mr. Do Van Chien, this shows that the "65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Friendship" program has touched the hearts of all Vietnamese people, arousing spiritual strength, creative inspiration, and pride in the special and rare friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.

The Organizing Committee honored and rewarded outstanding collectives and individuals in the "65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Friendship" Program, including the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association and the Americas Department (Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations). (Photo: Vietnam Fatherland Front)

Affirming that the program was a resounding success, exceeding the organizers' expectations, on behalf of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front leaders, Mr. Do Van Chien respectfully thanked the people, officials, soldiers, businesses, and political and social organizations both domestically and internationally for their participation; thanked the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, the Vietnam Musicians Association, the Literature and Arts Times, and the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam for their close cooperation and support; and thanked the press for contributing to spreading positive, humane energy and beautiful stories about Vietnamese solidarity.

He stated that the success of the "65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Friendship" program has opened up many new and appropriate ways of thinking and doing to effectively implement the three pillars of foreign policy: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy between Vietnam and Cuba, thereby nurturing and elevating the traditional friendship and close, fraternal relationship between Vietnam and Cuba to a new level, making it ever stronger and better.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes expressed deep gratitude for the solidarity and fraternal affection that the Vietnamese people have shown towards Cuba. He stated that the resources raised – including those handed over during the visit to Vietnam by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz – will be used promptly and effectively to mitigate the severe impact of the economic, trade, and financial embargo imposed by the United States.

The Ambassador thanked the Vietnam Red Cross Society, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the leading agencies of the Vietnamese Party and State for initiating, organizing, and spreading a humane and noble initiative, demonstrating the enduring friendship between the two nations.

He emphasized that even when two major storms hit Vietnam in quick succession, amidst countless difficulties, the Vietnamese people continued to share, helping their compatriots in the flood-stricken areas while also sending their heartfelt love to the fraternal Cuban people.

The Ambassador also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, the Vietnam Musicians Association, and the co-organizers of the songwriting competition "Vietnam - Cuba, the song of solidarity and friendship will forever resonate." He stated that the enthusiastic response from Vietnamese artists is vivid evidence of the deep empathy between the two nations. He believes that these songs will overcome all distances, allowing Cubans and Vietnamese to sing together through the global language of music, fostering a strong and lasting brotherhood.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, the Vietnam Musicians Association, and the Literature and Arts Times summarized the songwriting contest "Vietnam - Cuba, the song of solidarity and friendship that resonates forever." After nearly two months of launching, the Organizing Committee received nearly 140 works from 124 authors nationwide; the Judging Panel selected 22 works for the final round, awarding 1 First Prize, 2 Second Prizes, 3 Third Prizes, 10 Consolation Prizes, along with 4 Contribution Awards and 2 Companion Awards. A collection of 65 representative songs was selected, published, and launched at the closing ceremony.

At the ceremony, the Organizing Committee honored and rewarded outstanding collectives and individuals in the "65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Friendship" Program, including the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association and the Americas Department (Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations) for their outstanding contributions.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, speaks at the closing ceremony of the campaign to support the Cuban people. (Photo: Vietnam Fatherland Front)

Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Red Cross Central Committee, stated that the success of the program not only affirms the unwavering loyalty and affection of the Vietnamese people for Cuba, but also serves as vivid evidence of the strength of national unity, people-to-people diplomacy, especially humanitarian diplomacy, contributing to consolidating and deepening the comprehensive friendship and cooperation between the two Parties, two States, and the people of the two countries.

On this occasion, Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh called on the community to continue spreading the spirit of compassion through the "Joining Hands to Overcome Floods" campaign to support people in areas affected by typhoons No. 10 and 11.

"From the flame of solidarity dedicated to the Cuban people, a beautiful symbol of international solidarity, let us spread it throughout our own homeland, so that national pride and brotherhood become a source of strength that unites the entire nation in all circumstances, striving together for the development goals of the country, ensuring that no one is left behind," he said.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/615-ty-dong-ung-ho-nhan-dan-cuba-217042.html