65 years of Vietnam-Cuba relations: A sincere relationship from the heart

The Vietnam-Cuba relationship is sincere from the heart and driven by the altruistic spirit of the two peoples, not influenced by any interests or geopolitics. That is the assessment of Mr. Fredesmán Turró González, former Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam, Vice President of the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association, in an interview with VNA reporters in Havana on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960 - December 2, 2025).

Báo Tin Tức•01/12/2025

Photo caption — Mr. Fredesmán Turró González speaks at a conference on Cuba-Vietnam relations. Photo: Viet Hung - VNA correspondent in Cuba

According to the Cuban diplomat , the two peoples of Cuba and Vietnam share common aspirations, as well as similar qualities and values such as the spirit of resistance and nobility, patriotism and internationalism, generosity and gratitude, and a great and healthy pride in each other's history, culture and customs. He commented: “Looking back at the history of bilateral relations, we can conclude that what Cuba and Vietnam established that day was a relationship of brotherhood, solidarity and mutual support, which has developed and deepened over time, reaching a solid position. We cannot deny the fact that Cuba and Vietnam established relations at a time when the Vietnamese people were beginning their struggle to liberate the South and unify the country, while Cuba was struggling to consolidate the revolutionary process initiated on January 1, 1959”.

The diplomat stressed that Cuba and Vietnam have supported each other in the most difficult times, shared what they have like true brothers and enjoyed each other's successes as their own.

During the war years and the reconstruction period, after the Paris Peace Agreement in January 1973, inspired by the sentiment and determination of Leader Fidel Castro, Cuba was willing to sacrifice its blood and bones for Vietnam. And now, when Cuba is in difficulty due to the blockade and economic embargo, Vietnam, thinking that helping Cuba is a sincere duty, has launched a large-scale solidarity movement with Cuba. It is impossible not to mention the recent campaign organized by the Vietnam Red Cross and the Vietnam Fatherland Front to raise funds to help Cuba, on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of relations between the two countries.

At international forums, Vietnam has strongly condemned the economic , trade and financial embargo against Cuba and requested that Cuba be removed from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

Today, Cuba and Vietnam have had many high-level delegation exchanges. All agencies of Vietnam and Cuba, including the armed forces, political organizations and the masses, maintain cooperative and exchange relations, especially relations between the two Parties and the National Assembly.

Mr. González affirmed: “65 years since December 2, 1960, we can affirm that Cuba and Vietnam have a very special relationship, a typical example. Leader Fidel Castro described this as a symbol of the times and Vietnamese leaders always consider this loyal and steadfast relationship a precious treasure of the people of the two countries.” Now, according to him, the task of the younger generations is to preserve that symbol and treasure so that they can last forever. To bring bilateral cooperation to a new stage of more effective and practical, the Cuban diplomat said that based on the existing good relationship between the two countries, the two sides need to continue to strengthen the exchange of experiences and information between the two Parties, the two Governments and the two National Assemblies, as well as mutually beneficial economic relations, in order to achieve economic integration between the two countries.

For Cuba, Vietnam's cooperation in the agricultural sector is currently the foundation for Cuba to achieve food security. Vietnam supports Cuba in producing rice, corn, soybeans, etc., and Vietnamese companies in the Mariel Special Development Zone are producing essential consumer goods for the Cuban people.

Mr. Fredesmán Turró González believes that both sides are on the right track, but better conditions need to be created to promote more effective cooperation.

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