Ministry of Defense puts up sign for cluster of statues of Soviet and Cuban experts

This complex of buildings holds profound historical, cultural, and political value, vividly demonstrating pure, loyal, and sincere international solidarity; it is a testament to the immense sacrifices and contributions of international friends to Vietnam's struggle for national liberation, reunification, and defense of the Fatherland.

Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defence, held discussions with Russian Ambassador Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko.

The complex comprises five groups of symbolic representations of the following countries: the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, Laos, and Cambodia. Each group consists of a full-body statue of 3 to 5 figures; approximately 3 meters tall (including a square pedestal measuring 4m x 4m, nearly 1m high), made of red bronze.

Each group of statues was created taking into account the historical contributions and support of various countries during Vietnam's resistance wars. The statues were researched and created by reputable Vietnamese artisans and sculptors; the process involved coordination, consultation with other countries, and approval by an art council in accordance with established procedures and regulations.

After 45 days of intensive work, all infrastructure, landscaping, and the two groups of statues representing the Soviet Union and Cuba have now been completed. Construction on the groups of statues representing China, Laos, and Cambodia is progressing well, with the goal of completion before December 22nd.

Leaders of the Ministry of Defense, the Russian Ambassador, and other delegates performed the inauguration ceremony for the cluster of statues depicting Soviet military experts.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, said that throughout the long history of the resistance struggle for national independence and reunification, the Vietnamese people have always received sincere, loyal, and effective assistance from countries and international friends, especially China, the Soviet Union, Cuba, Laos, and Cambodia - comrades and friends who spared no effort, resources, and even blood for the independence and peace of Vietnam.

According to Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, this support was not only a tremendous material resource, but also an invaluable source of moral encouragement, contributing to the great victories of the Vietnamese revolution. In every battle, every battlefront, every glorious chapter of the history of the Vietnam People's Army, the mark of noble international solidarity is always deeply imprinted.

In keeping with the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source"; and implementing the Party and State's policy on building a symbolic area to acknowledge the valuable assistance of other countries in Vietnam's resistance wars, the Central Military Commission - Ministry of National Defense has directed agencies and units to urgently implement the construction of a symbolic area of international solidarity, friendship, and gratitude in the outdoor exhibition space of the Vietnam Military History Museum.

Leaders of the Ministry of Defense, the Cuban Ambassador, and other delegates performed the inauguration ceremony for the cluster of statues dedicated to Cuban military experts.

General Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that this place will be a significant location for disseminating information and educating present and future generations to better understand the power of noble international solidarity, of "sharing hardships" for independence, freedom, peace, and friendship.

Vietnam also wishes to send a message to its international friends: "Vietnam always cherishes and is grateful for the immense support of international friends not only in the past, but also in the present and future; and always values preserving, strengthening, and developing friendly relations with brotherly nations and international friends for a peaceful, cooperative, and sustainable world."

Genuine friendship

Speaking at the ceremony, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Vietnam, Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko, shared: "The Soviet Union was one of the first countries to officially recognize the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in January 1950 and provided immense assistance to the Vietnamese people in their struggle to defeat the invasion."

That assistance included the large-scale supply of the most modern military products of the time – from anti-aircraft artillery, armored vehicles, air force equipment, infantry weapons, and many other types of equipment – as well as training military personnel for Vietnam. Within a short time, training of officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army in the use of advanced weapons was implemented, and Vietnamese soldiers and officers excellently absorbed the knowledge and effectively applied it to combat," the Ambassador said.

A group of statues symbolizing the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union.

The Russian Ambassador thanked Vietnam for preserving the memory of shared history, now a distant past, and of the people who stood at the beginning of that history. This is compelling evidence of the sincere friendship and high level of trust between Russia – the successor state of the Soviet Union – and Vietnam. It also continues the fine tradition of selfless assistance and mutual support in times of difficulty, educating the younger generation to appreciate the contributions of their ancestors who brought peace and happiness to their descendants.

Meanwhile, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes stated that the inauguration of the statue complex was a tribute to the Cuban soldiers who fought alongside the Vietnamese army and people in the heroic resistance war.

Cuban volunteer soldiers shared their experiences, fought, and participated in activities with units of the Vietnam People's Army, contributing to enriching the defense strategies of the two countries, which is "people's war".

A cluster of statues symbolizing solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.

During the course of their missions, many Cuban soldiers bravely sacrificed their lives – this proud legacy has fostered the excellent defense relationship between Cuba and Vietnam to this day.

The ambassador shared that this is also a tribute to the historical leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, who uttered an immortal saying that will forever bind the two nations together: "For Vietnam, Cuba is ready to sacrifice even its own blood."

The ambassador also quoted the words of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, who declared in September 1973 from the liberated area of Quang Tri: "One thousand years, two thousand years, five thousand years, ten thousand years will pass, but future generations will always remember the heroism of the Vietnamese people."

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/bo-quoc-phong-gan-bien-cum-tuong-chuyen-gia-lien-xo-cuba-2437488.html