Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated zone of South Vietnam in Quang Tri

Politburo member, Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat Truong Thi Mai speaks at the ceremony

The ceremony was attended by President of the National Assembly of the People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez and senior leaders of the Cuban Party and State. On the Vietnamese side, there were Politburo member, Permanent member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat Truong Thi Mai; Politburo member, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man; leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries, sectors, leaders and people of Quang Tri province...

President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez expressed deep emotion when he came to Quang Tri to visit the places where leader Fidel visited, as well as attend this solemn celebration.

Mr. Esteban Lazo Hernandez reviewed the historical milestones since Fidel Castro visited Vietnam as well as the comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and States of Vietnam and Cuba. When it comes to the exemplary brotherly relationship between Cuba and Vietnam, an image that makes it immortal is Fidel happily raising the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam at Hill 241, just a few kilometers from the enemy. And the immortal saying "For Vietnam, we are willing to sacrifice our blood", the true symbol of the close relationship that unites us.

Fidel was the first and only head of government to arrive in the newly liberated areas, when the land was still burning with the heat of battles, there were elements close to the enemy and the US army was still bombing the North. News of the presence of Cuban leader Fidel Castro spread throughout the world and even the opposing and hostile media were forced to report it, contributing to further popularizing the unstoppable advance of the armed liberation forces and strengthening the already solid and growing international solidarity.

President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez speaks at the ceremony

President of the National Assembly of the People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez said: Since Fidel first came to this heroic land, we Cubans have always kept unforgettable memories. Socio-economic initiatives and projects were implemented to support the Vietnamese people in restoring the country, such as: Thang Loi Hotel in Hanoi; Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital in Dong Hoi; Xuan Mai-Son Tay road; trips to send livestock and poultry for breeding in Vietnam... Then, equipment and experts also came to Vietnam according to Cuba's decision to support the reconstruction of a section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the road that soldiers and supplies from the North to the South avoided the bombs of the imperialists until the victory on April 30, 1975.

In our bilateral relations, the legacy of President Fidel Castro and President Ho Chi Minh is very special as Uncle Ho said; Similar moral identities also originate from our two peoples who also have similar moral identities, although Cuba and Vietnam are located in two hemispheres.

“Our relationship is exemplary and has become a symbol of our times, as Fidel expressed it. The regular exchanges and traditional cooperation between the two Communist Parties, Governments and peoples, based on political trust, frankness and at high levels, aim to make better use of each other’s experience on the path of socialist construction. We will preserve for present and future generations our traditions of solidarity and brotherhood,” the President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba emphasized.

Delegates attend the ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated zone of South Vietnam in Quang Tri

50 years ago, just 8 months after the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam was signed, Fidel Castro, First Secretary of the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, led a delegation of the Cuban Party and State to visit the liberated zone of South Vietnam in the "land of fire" Quang Tri.

On the morning of September 14, 1973, President Fidel Castro, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and the Cuban delegation arrived in Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), starting the historic visit of the first foreign leader to the liberated area of South Vietnam after the Paris Agreement. The delegation crossed the Nhat Le River, a special traffic "vessel" on National Highway 1A, a fire pit that suffered many devastating bombings and attacks, to visit Vinh Linh (Quang Tri). Here, Fidel Castro met the heroes of the "steel land" and stayed overnight, deeply sharing the brave spirit and great sacrifices of the army and people of Quang Tri.

On September 15, 1973, Fidel Castro and the delegation crossed the Ben Hai River to visit the liberated area of Quang Tri. Despite the danger, with artillery shells and the smell of gunpowder, he got out of the car and walked to visit Dong Ha and then went to Cam Lo. At Hill 241 - which used to be the enemy's stronghold in terms of weapons, Cuban leader Fidel Castro attended a solemn rally with the people of Gio Linh, Cam Lo, Trieu Phong, Huong Hoa, Hai Lang districts and typical units of the armed forces. During that rally, Fidel Castro raised the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and said, "Comrades, please plant this flag of a hundred battles and a hundred victories in the middle of Saigon." And less than two years later, that became true.

During his trip to Quang Tri, Cuban leader Fidel Castro also visited Doc Mieu military base - the most important stronghold of the Mac Namara defense line; visited the heroic Battalion 8; traveled along National Highway 9, a strategic location across Truong Son; visited the headquarters and met with representatives of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam in Cam Lo district...

Awarding ceremony of the drawing contest " Vietnamese-Cuba children's solidarity"

Reading a speech at the Commemoration Ceremony, Quang Tri Provincial Party Secretary Le Quang Tung emphasized: When mentioning Cuba, in the hearts of every Vietnamese person in general and Quang Tri people in particular, we will never forget the immortal words of the late leader Fidel Castro " For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood!" and the image of Fidel, the first and only foreign leader to visit Vietnam and the liberated area of the South in Quang Tri in September 1973.

Speaking at the ceremony, Politburo member and Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat Truong Thi Mai affirmed: The visit of President Fidel Castro and the Cuban delegation has left a deep mark in the history of relations between the two countries. It is a great encouragement for the just struggle of the people of South Vietnam in the new period; demonstrates absolute faith in victory and is a strong source of encouragement for the Vietnamese Revolution, a symbol of revolutionary socialism, the pure and noble international solidarity of Cuba and Vietnam.

Five decades have passed, but forever Vietnam and the Vietnamese people will never forget President Fidel's immortal question "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood". Maintaining and nurturing a loyal relationship, from beginning to end, not only demonstrates the morality of "remembering the source of water when drinking water", but also the sentiment and responsibility of the country and people of Vietnam...

Art program "Vietnam-Cuba: Historical marks"

“Commemorating President Fidel Castro’s historic visit is an opportunity for us to continue affirming the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba; a relationship that transcends conventional limits, has been tempered and tested through historical ups and downs and the most difficult moments of each country,” Ms. Truong Thi Mai emphasized.

At the ceremony, delegates reviewed valuable film clips and photos of Cuban leader Fidel Castro when he visited the liberated area of Southern Vietnam in Quang Tri province in September 1973. At the same time, they interacted with historical witnesses: Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phong - former Director of the Americas Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam), who directly interpreted for the Cuban leader in Quang Tri; Ms. Hoang Thi Cham (74 years old, residing in Gio Linh district), a female guerrilla who had the honor of shaking hands to welcome President Fidel Castro when he visited Doc Mieu...

Art program at the 50th Anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated area of South Vietnam in Quang Tri

Within the framework of the Anniversary Ceremony, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Provincial People's Committee to direct the organization of the art program "Vietnam - Cuba: Historical Marks". The art program was staged and performed by the Vietnam Contemporary Arts Theater. Art performances such as: Hello Vietnam; Cuban friend on the Ho Chi Minh trail; The liaison girl; Unification song; Rock Quang Tri - Quang Tri spring, to the vibrant performances Beautiful Cuba, Rico Vacilon... were performed through lyrical, sweet, profound voices along with vibrant dances, bringing the audience to feel the deep attachment between Vietnam and Cuba on the foundation of the sustainable relationship that was laid by leader Fidel Castro; to feel the changes and developments of Vietnam and Cuba in the new era...

On this occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union also awarded prizes for the painting contest with the theme "Vietnamese and Cuban children in solidarity". The Organizing Committee awarded 2 first prizes, 6 second prizes and 12 third prizes to primary and secondary school students.

On the same afternoon, Vietnam News Agency coordinated with Cuba's Prensa Latina News Agency and the People's Committee of Quang Tri province to organize the opening of a photo exhibition with the theme "Forever loyal Vietnam - Cuba relationship".

SON THUY; photo: HOANG LE

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