65 years of Vietnam - Cuba: Loyalty, steadfastness, sharing the same heartbeat

On September 1 in Hanoi, the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Cuba diplomatic relations took place solemnly, with the participation of President Luong Cuong and his wife, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his wife.

The event was attended by leaders and former leaders of the Party and State of the two countries; members of the Cuban high-ranking delegation; officials and staff of the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam; experts, businessmen, and Cuban students studying in Vietnam; representatives of ministries, sectors, socio- political organizations, friendship parliamentarians, the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association, former students who worked and studied in Cuba, and international friends.

The ceremony was hosted by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies, in the atmosphere of the whole country celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day and within the framework 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 is an important milestone, reaffirming the special, loyal, and rare solidarity in international relations, which was painstakingly cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and Leader Fidel Castro.

President Luong Cuong and his wife, along 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 wife, view a photo exhibition marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Today, Cuba is still willing to sacrifice its blood for Vietnam.

Speaking at the ceremony, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, emphasized that it is a special honor to be present in Vietnam - a heroic and admirable country - 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.

President Luong Cuong and his wife, along 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 wife, attended the ceremony to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Recalling the words of Cuban national hero José Martí from 1889 about the Annamese people's desire for freedom, the Cuban President said that history has proven that spirit through the Dien Bien Phu victory, the resistance war against the US and the cause of national reunification. Vietnam's feats of arms resounded throughout the world and were admired by humanity. Together with the Cuban revolution and other heroic nations, it is a testament to the indomitable will to win independence, sovereignty and social justice.

He reviewed the journey of solidarity between the two nations: Cuba was the first country in Latin America to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam (1960), established the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam (1963), and received Vietnamese students from 1961. In particular, the image of Leader Fidel Castro raising the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam in Quang Tri in 1973 remains an immortal symbol.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel stressed that this relationship goes beyond all diplomatic protocol, becoming a model and a symbol of international solidarity.

"Leader Fidel Castro once declared: 'For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood'. Today, we reaffirm that relationship and affection continue to be strong and for Vietnam, Cuba is still willing to sacrifice its blood," he said.

First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez speaks at the ceremony to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

He reviewed the outstanding cooperation in recent times: the visit to Vietnam by General Secretary To Lam (September 2024), the visit to Cuba by Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Nguyen Xuan Thang (May 2025), political consultation, the Intergovernmental Committee, agricultural cooperation, biotechnology, energy, banking - finance... Vietnam is currently one of Cuba's largest investment partners in Asia - Pacific.

On this occasion, he expressed his emotion and gratitude for the great support of the Vietnamese people in the recent fundraising campaign to support the Cuban people, affirming that this is a wonderful gesture, demonstrating the loyal and steadfast affection that Vietnam has for Cuba.

Solidarity with Cuba comes from the heart

Speaking at the ceremony, President Luong Cuong stated: 65 years ago, on December 2, 1960, Vietnam and Cuba established diplomatic relations, a historic milestone, opening a rare and exemplary relationship between the two countries in international history. Sharing the noble ideals of national independence and socialism, under the ideology of Hero José Martí, Leader Fidel Castro, and the great President Ho Chi Minh; under the leadership of the two Communist Parties, many generations of leaders, cadres and people of the two countries have worked hard to cultivate the loyal and pure relationship between Vietnam and Cuba, firmly overcoming all challenges and fluctuations, constantly developing in both breadth and depth, contributing to the just cause of the two nations.

President Luong Cuong speaks at the ceremony celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

He reviewed memorable milestones: Cuba was the first country to recognize the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, approved and supported the Front in opening a diplomatic representative office in the capital city of Havana. Cuba was also the first country 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 heroine Moncada Melba Hernandez, was established, playing an important role in mobilizing and organizing Cuban people of all walks of life to participate in solidarity activities and support Vietnam. In particular, Fidel Castro's immortal words in 1966: "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood" and his visit to Quang Tri in 1973 left a deep historical mark.

After the country's reunification in 1975, Cuba continued to support Vietnam in building essential economic and social projects such as roads, schools, hospitals, chicken and cow farms, hotels, etc. and training thousands of Vietnamese officials and engineers in construction, architecture, agriculture, and linguistics. Entering the Doi Moi period, the two countries continued to stand side by side, sharing experiences and providing practical support: from sweet rice grains, sugar grains, plant varieties, livestock, and Cuba's Covid-19 vaccine to agricultural cooperation, aquaculture, and coffee development in Cuba supported by Vietnam.

President Luong Cuong emphasized: "The golden rice fields in the provinces of Pinar del Rio and Matanzas (Cuba) today are not only a testament to the achievements of the new cooperation model between the two countries, but also a field of friendship, further tightening the affection between the two peoples, and at the same time giving us a practical basis and firm belief that Cuba is completely capable of self-reliance, ensuring food security and overcoming all difficulties and challenges, building a rich, prosperous and happy country."

Recalling the saying of President Ho Chi Minh: "Vietnam and Cuba, though far apart, are like brothers in the same family" and Leader Fidel Castro: "The Vietnam - Cuba relationship is a special, unprecedented relationship, a model of international relations", President Luong Cuong affirmed: "The Party, State and people of Vietnam always cherish and remember the solidarity and wholehearted support of Cuba for Vietnam in the struggle for national liberation and reunification in the past, as well as in the cause of building and defending the socialist Fatherland of Vietnam today. Solidarity with Cuba comes from the heart and in the thoughts of every Vietnamese person. Vietnam always attaches special importance to the relationship with Cuba, constantly consolidates, cultivates and develops the comprehensive cooperative relationship between the two countries, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in each region and in the world".

On this occasion, President Luong Cuong sent congratulations to Cuban revolutionary leader General Raúl Castro, the leaders and people of Cuba, expressing his belief that the heroic country of Cuba will overcome difficulties and continue to gain new victories.

A performance at the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Within the framework of the Celebration, delegates watched the documentary "65 years of sharing the same heartbeat" and enjoyed a special art program celebrating 65 years of Vietnam - Cuba diplomatic relations.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/65-nam-viet-nam-cuba-thuy-chung-son-sat-cung-chung-nhip-dap-trai-tim-216002.html