Celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations: Fostering a loyal and steadfast brotherly friendship

On the evening of December 2, in Hanoi, the Cuban Embassy held a solemn ceremony to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba (December 2, 1960 - December 2, 2025).

The ceremony was attended by General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Attending the event were General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA); Comrade Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Party Central Committee member, Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission; Comrade Vu Hai Ha, Party Central Committee member, Deputy Secretary of the National Assembly Party Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Parliamentarians' Group, Chairman of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association and Comrade Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs .

Delegates perform the flag-raising ceremony before the opening ceremony. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes emphasized that December 2, 1960, marked the birth of the fraternal friendship between the two peoples, forged in the struggle for independence and carrying the invaluable legacy of President Ho Chi Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro.

The Ambassador emphasized that 2025, the “Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year”, has witnessed the effective implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms on many channels: Party, National Assembly, Government, defense - security, diplomacy and business. According to the Ambassador, regular high-level contacts and the historic visits of General Secretary To Lam to Cuba in September 2024 and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to Vietnam in September 2025 have created important momentum, opening a new phase of cooperation between the two countries.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes delivered the opening speech at the ceremony. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

New economic, trade and investment projects are being actively promoted by the two countries, along with rich social and cultural ties, contributing to deepening the special Vietnam-Cuba relationship in a volatile international context.

The Ambassador was moved to mention the campaign “65 years of Vietnam-Cuba friendship” launched by the Red Cross and the Vietnam Fatherland Front. The campaign has mobilized more than 615 billion VND from organizations and individuals across the country to send to the Cuban people, demonstrating the deep solidarity and friendship between the two peoples.

“In the fight against the embargo, Cuba has never lacked Vietnam's steadfast stance and companionship, demonstrated through strong political, spiritual and material support activities,” the Ambassador affirmed.

General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, spoke at the ceremony. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Speaking at the ceremony, General Nguyen Trong Nghia emphasized that President Ho Chi Minh and Leader Fidel Castro laid a solid foundation for the friendship between the two countries. Leader Ho Chi Minh once said that "Vietnam and Cuba are thousands of miles apart, but the hearts of the two peoples are as close as brothers in one family."

During the fierce years of resistance, Cuba became the first country in the Western Hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1960, sending thousands of engineers and experts to help Vietnam and providing non-refundable aid for many key projects such as the Vietnam-Cuba Dong Hoi Friendship Hospital, Moc Chau Dairy Farm, and the Xuan Mai - Son Tay route.

The General said that when Vietnam entered the Doi Moi period and Cuba carried out “updating its economic model”, the two countries continuously supported and assisted each other. Vietnam actively assisted Cuba in developing rice production, aquaculture, and coffee cultivation. During the complicated developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cuba donated rare vaccines to Vietnam, demonstrating deep brotherly affection.

General Nguyen Trong Nghia and Vietnamese Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes raised their glasses to toast the relationship between the two countries. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

Today, the rice fields in the Pinar del Río and Matanzas provinces of Cuba also demonstrate the results of cooperation between the two countries, creating a firm belief that Cuba is capable of self-sufficiency and ensuring food security. Many Vietnamese factories producing consumer goods and construction materials in the Mariel Special Development Zone are continuing to take shape. On the anniversary of December 2, 2025, the construction of the 80 Megawatt Vietnam-Cuba Solar Power Plant, a gift from Vietnam to Cuba, officially began in Mayabeque province.

The General also acknowledged that the State visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to Cuba in September 2024 and the visit of First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel to Vietnam in September 2025 opened a new, profound and comprehensive phase of cooperation.

General Nguyen Trong Nghia believes that with the solid foundation of friendship forged over the past 65 years and the high political determination of the two countries' leaders, the close fraternal relationship between Vietnam and Cuba will continue to develop deeply and effectively, contributing positively to peace, stability and prosperity of the two regions.

Delegates take photos at the event. (Photo: Jackie Chan)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ky-niem-65-nam-thiet-lap-quan-he-ngoai-giao-viet-nam-cuba-boi-dap-tinh-huu-nghi-anh-em-thuy-chung-son-sat-336403.html