Ceremony to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations in Havana

Lễ kỷ niệm 65 năm thiết lập quan hệ ngoại giao Việt Nam-Cuba tại La Habana

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long speaks at the ceremony. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba)

The ceremony was attended by many high-ranking Cuban leaders: Senior Lieutenant General Álvaro López Miera, Politburo member, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR); Senior Lieutenant General Alberto Álvarez Casas, Politburo member, Minister of the Interior (MININT); José Ramón Monteagudo Ruiz, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Party Central Committee's Food and Agriculture Committee; Fernando González Llort, Central Committee member, President of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with Peoples (ICAP); along with many representatives of ministries, branches, central organizations and Cuban friends.

Ceremony to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations in Havana.

On the Vietnamese side, there was the presence of Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army; Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang. The ceremony also welcomed ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic agencies, international organizations, the Vietnamese community in Cuba, and all officials, spouses and children of Vietnamese representative agencies.

Ambassador Le Quang Long took a photo with leaders of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs and guests visiting the photo exhibition on Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations. (Source: Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba)

In a solemn atmosphere, delegates attended the flag-raising ceremony and watched a documentary film recreating the 65-year journey of solidarity, friendship, and loyalty between the two peoples.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cuban and Vietnamese delegates reviewed the tradition of special, exemplary and rare friendship in the history of international relations; affirmed that the Vietnam-Cuba solidarity was forged from revolutionary ideals, from deep sympathy in the face of great challenges of the two peoples in the process of fighting for national liberation, protecting independence, freedom and national sovereignty.

Ambassador Le Quang Long and guests attending the ceremony.

Ambassador Le Quang Long emphasized the historical significance of the Vietnam-Cuba relationship, recalling the invaluable support that Cuba provided to Vietnam during the most difficult years of the resistance war against the US. Leader Fidel Castro's immortal statement, "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice even its own blood", continues to be an everlasting symbol of pure international solidarity.

Cuban children read expressive poems about Vietnam and Cuba "Two hearts, beating as one". (Source: Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba)

Over the past 65 years, Cuba has consistently supported Vietnam politically, diplomatically, materially and human resources, even when Cuba faced numerous difficulties. In return, Vietnam has always stood side by side with Cuba during the “special period”, maintaining a stable supply of rice, implementing projects to support food and aquaculture development, sharing innovation experiences and promoting practical cooperation in many fields.

Ambassador Le Quang Long and guests attending the ceremony.

The two countries have also continuously strengthened and expanded cooperation. Vietnam is currently Cuba’s second largest trading partner in Asia and one of the important investors in the Mariel Special Development Zone. Cooperation in agriculture, bio-medicine, renewable energy, education and people-to-people exchanges continue to be bright spots in bilateral relations.

Lisbeth Caridad, a 6th grade student at Nguyen Van Troi School, La Habana (one of the 5 students who won the special prize in the writing and drawing contest about Vietnam-Cuba relations, with the prize being a tour to Da Nang) presented her feelings, thoughts about the country, people and affection for Vietnam after her visit to Vietnam last August. (Source: Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba)

Ambassador Le Quang Long affirmed that Vietnam will continue to make efforts to develop bilateral economic and trade cooperation commensurate with the special political relationship and potential of the two countries; promote the implementation of high-level agreements reached recently, especially after the visit to Cuba by General Secretary and President To Lam (September 2024) and the visit to Vietnam by First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel (September 2025).

At the end of the ceremony, the Ambassador expressed gratitude to generations of leaders, soldiers and people of the two countries who have contributed to the 65 years of Vietnam-Cuba relations; and believed that the special, loyal and steadfast friendship between the two peoples will continue to develop deeply, effectively and sustainably in the new period.

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