Admiration for beloved Commander-in-Chief Fidel, Great Friend of Vietnam!

On the morning of April 19 (local time), Nhan Dan Newspaper reporters joined National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and members of our country's delegation to visit one of the most beautiful buildings in Havana, which has been converted into a museum honoring the great leader Fidel Castro.

Director of the Fidel Castro Center René González Barrios introduced to National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and members of the working delegation many important historical documents about the life and career of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.

In the middle of the historic month of April with many major events in Cuba, groups of people with many children of all ages, young people, teachers from schools lined up in an orderly and quiet manner to visit and learn about the life and great career of the beloved Commander-in-Chief Fidel of our brotherly country Cuba.

Impressions of Fidel Castro Center From the center of La Habana city, friends and international visitors can choose public transportation to get to Fidel Castro Ruz Center or important cultural and historical works by bus or train, very convenient for first-time visitors to beautiful Cuba.

Center Director René González Barrios introduced to National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue valuable documents about the revolutionary career of Leader Fidel Castro and the special affection that Leader Fidel Castro had for Vietnam and peoples around the world .

The Fidel Castro Ruz Center was completed and opened to the public after 3 years of renovation of one of the most beautiful buildings in the capital city of the neighboring country, under the shade of cool, ancient trees.

The Fidep Center is modernly designed with many digital technology devices with many categories in the exhibition space, with a lot of massive, vivid archived information data, movies, many documents, and valuable artifacts serving research, libraries as well as meeting the learning needs of young people and international tourists. The front door of the center has an electronic portrait of the Revolutionary, Hero José Martí; right next to it is a gallery of the podium where leader Fidel once stood to speak, in addition there are projection screens recreating historical events of the country such as the Bay of Pigs incident based on computer technology to create impressive and attractive effects.

The National Assembly Chairman listened to the introduction of documents about important speeches by the great Cuban leader Fidel Castro at many important events.

Here, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the delegation visited the exhibition of artifacts and images associated with the life and revolutionary career, introducing the ideological values ​​of Leader Fidel Castro and the special affection of Leader Fidel Castro for Vietnam as well as peoples around the world.

Writing in the guestbook at the Center, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emotionally wrote: “In every Cuban and world people, Leader Fidel Castro is forever an immortal symbol of revolutionary heroism, the spirit of uprising, the steadfast struggle for national independence and the aspiration to reach freedom and happiness.

The National Assembly Chairman and members of the delegation were introduced to films about the history of Cuba's revolutionary struggle.

In the hearts of every Vietnamese person, Leader Fidel Castro is the beautiful image of a steadfast revolutionary soldier, a great friend, a close comrade with all the trust, love, admiration and deep sympathy, just like the special, loyal, pure and rare solidarity and friendship between the Party, State and People of Vietnam and Cuba. Viva Cuba, Viva Vietnam!”.

In a brief conversation with historian René González Barrios, Director of the Fidel Castro Ruz Center, said that the center is a place to collect, preserve, conserve and honor the legacy of the Cuban Commander-in-Chief in order to serve the purpose of researching and disseminating his ideological values ​​to today's and future generations.

Through the introduction of the leader of the Fidel Castro Center, the Fidel Castro Center was built and inaugurated on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the death of Leader Fidel Castro (November 25, 2016 - November 25, 2021). This is the first and only center named after the great revolutionary leader of the Cuban people. The Cuban government issued a special decree on the establishment of this facility because Fidel's wish during his lifetime was that after his death, there would be no streets, parks, schools, hospitals or any centers or facilities named after him.

Fidel Castro Ruz : A pure life, a glorious career We still keep the unforgettable memory that at exactly 7:00 p.m. on November 29, 2016 (local time, or about 7:00 a.m. on November 30, Hanoi time), at Revolution Square in the capital city of Havana, a solemn memorial service for Leader Fidel Castro Ruz took place. On that occasion, we were moved and proud to accompany National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, leading a high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam to Cuba to attend the State funeral for Cuban Leader Fidel Castro Ruz, former: First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba.

Documents about the special affection of Leader Fidel Castro for Vietnam during his visit to Quang Tri in particular in September 1973 and for the Vietnamese people in general.

From early morning, hundreds of thousands of Cubans lined up along the road to the José Martí Memorial.

Here, about one million people in the capital attended the ceremony with great respect and emotion. On that occasion, Cuba had prepared all the necessary work for the national funeral of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, who passed away at the age of 90. The funeral was held at the Jose Marti Memorial in Revolution Square in the capital La Habana and will begin with a 21-gun salute. The Jose Marti Memorial will be the temporary place to place Fidel Castro's remains. This is the most majestic place in La Habana and one of the historical symbols of Cuba. Over the decades, this place witnessed many large demonstrations in support of the revolution and leader Castro gave many of the most important speeches here. After that, the ashes of leader Fidel Castro will be transferred to Santiago de Cuba - the cradle of the Cuban Revolution, about 1,000 km from the capital La Habana. After nine days of national mourning, the revolutionary leader's ashes will be laid to rest in the Santa Ifigenia cemetery on December 4, followed by another mass viewing at the "Antonio Maceo" Square in Santiago de Cuba. Meanwhile, tributes to the Cuban leader are also being paid in several countries in the Americas.

Many young generations of Cuban students and teachers came to study and learn about the country's history and the great career of Leader Fidel Castro.

In Chile, national television went off the air to report on the great loss to the Cuban people in particular and to the world in general.

In their condolences to the Cuban people, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and many leaders of countries in the region called him a leader who was always dedicated to the noble values ​​and social justice of Cuba and Latin America... Due to health reasons, in the years before his death, Cuban leader Fidel Castro did not appear much in public, but he still occasionally had articles published in Granma, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of Cuba, or had intimate meetings and talks with a number of leaders of friendly and brotherly countries who came to visit.

In recent days, many leaders of countries have praised the great contributions of Comrade Fidel Castro to the international communist and workers' movements over the past half century, emphasizing that Comrade Fidel's name, great career and humanistic revolutionary ideology will live forever in the Cuban Revolution and in the hearts of progressive, peace-loving and justice-loving peoples of the world.

Great friend of Vietnam Remember, at Revolution Square in the capital of Havana, the day of farewell to the beloved Commander-in-Chief, a solemn memorial service was held for the legendary Leader. From early morning, hundreds of thousands of Cubans lined up along the road to the José Martí Memorial. We were there, where about a million people of the capital attended the ceremony in reverence and overflowing emotions.

Documents about the special affection of Leader Fidel Castro for Vietnam during his visit to Quang Tri in particular in September 1973 and for the Vietnamese people in general.

On the stage, Cuban President Raul Castro wore military uniform and presided over the memorial service for his comrade and brother. Many heads of state and leaders of countries attended the event. Below, a crowd of people from all walks of life and armed forces, including many students, pupils and cadets, held in their hands a picture of Leader Fidel Castro Ruz attending the memorial service.

During the ceremony, waves of people chanted slogans such as “I am Fidel!”, “Fidel lives forever!”, “Long live the revolution!”, “Fatherland or death!”, “Unity will definitely win!”, “See you forever!”... At this extremely painful and emotional moment, speaking at the memorial service of the people of the neighboring country, Chairwoman of the 14th National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, on behalf of the high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam, conveyed to the leaders and people of Cuba, especially the family of Comrade Fidel Castro Ruz, the most sincere and deepest condolences of the leaders and all people of Vietnam. Comrade Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan emphasized: With the passing of Comrade Fidel Castro Ruz, the Communist Party of Cuba, the State and the people of Cuba have lost a historical and legendary leader. The international Communist and Revolutionary movement has lost a steadfast, courageous and experienced leader. The delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam is the first high-ranking international delegation to visit Cuba to pay respect to comrade Fidel Castro. On the first day of arriving in the capital of the neighboring country, in a solemn and emotional atmosphere, Chairwoman of the 14th National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan signed the condolence book, expressing the deep sorrow and infinite regret of the Party, State and people of Vietnam at the passing of comrade Fidel Castro, the outstanding leader of the Cuban Revolution, a great friend, comrade, loyal and extremely close brother of the Party, State and people of Vietnam. Having the opportunity to return to the heroic country of Cuba during the historic days of April, we clearly remember the great honor of being present with many members of our high-ranking delegation to pay respect to comrade Fidel Castro Ruz. Many members of the delegation were honored to be among the youth and students who were sent to study in the neighboring country, and later returned to the country to grow up and develop into leaders and experts in many ministries, departments and branches, and were our country's Ambassadors to Cuba and other countries over many periods. In a surge of emotion, many members of the delegation who had previously studied and worked in Cuba for a long time, recalled many unforgettable memories of the country, the people of Cuba, and the beloved President Fidel Castro Ruz. Comrades: Nguyen Dinh Bin, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nguyen Xuan Phong (formerly a diplomatic officer at the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, previously held the position of Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba) still remember clearly the rare memory in his life: The honor of accompanying and coordinating the translation work for President Fidel's first visit to Vietnam in September 1973 associated with many rare historical events in the land of fire Quang Tri. Symbol of noble and special friendship Exactly 50 years ago, when our people's struggle for national reunification was still in its fiercest stage, President Fidel Castro Ruz traveled halfway around the world to Vietnam, entering the front line of the Vietnamese people's struggle for national liberation.

Documents about the special affection of Leader Fidel Castro for Vietnam during his visit to Quang Tri in particular in September 1973 and for the Vietnamese people in general.

He wished to witness the fierce battlefield and the heroic struggle of our people, and to meet our compatriots and soldiers in the South. Comrade Fidel was the only foreign leader to visit the liberated zone of South Vietnam. That visit left many deep impressions and feelings, marking a milestone in the history of friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries.

On the morning of September 15, 1973, a special flight brought President Fidel Castro, the Cuban Government Delegation and Prime Minister Pham Van Dong to Dong Hoi City (Quang Binh), then continued by car to Quang Tri. After meeting with representatives of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam in Cam Lo (Quang Tri province), President Fidel visited and attended a mass rally at the 241st peak of the newly liberated Tan Lam area. At that time, the battlefield had just stopped firing and was still littered with the remains of enemy tanks, armored vehicles, and cannons... With the majestic appearance of a famous Commander, in an olive green uniform, wearing a baseball cap, high boots, standing next to liberation soldiers, President Fidel raised high the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. At that time, comrade Fidel loudly shouted like a marching order: Comrades, please plant this invincible flag in Saigon! See you again in Saigon after the day the South is completely liberated! Two years later, that order has become a reality. Vietnam is completely liberated. The flag of determination to fight and win flies on the roof of the Independence Palace in Saigon!

Works published in Vietnam about President Fidel Castro are displayed and introduced at the Fidel Castro Center in the capital Havana.

Reporters of Nhan Dan Newspaper were fortunate to have access to the valuable document of the full text of Comrade Fidel Castro's speech at Hill 241 in Cam Lo District, provided by Comrade Nguyen Xuan Phong (who directly translated Comrade Fidel's speech at the mass rally).

The gestures, the heroic voice, the spirit that conveyed the attractive and compelling message of Leader Fidel Castro Ruz are still as fresh and timely as if it were yesterday. Fidel Castro's speech included: “... We have traveled more than 20,000 kilometers to get here. It is a symbol of our people's great friendship and solidarity with the people of Vietnam. We, the Cuban people, have followed the selfless struggle of the Vietnamese people every day. And today, Cuba is very honored to be the first friendly country, the first government to send an official delegation to the liberated zone of southern Vietnam. Our delegation is extremely honored to have this meeting with heroic soldiers like you, with a heroic nation like the people of southern Vietnam. No nation in the present era has fought as hard and as resiliently as the Vietnamese people for their independence... Let us recall history from the moment our beloved President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam's independence. In all eras, the Vietnamese people have fought very tenaciously to protect their independence, and have always won...”. During the short time this morning at the Fidel Castro Ruz Center, the most authentic and valuable documents in the form of photos, books, and historical films about the life, career, and devoted dedication of beloved President Fidel Castro also clearly and impressively recreated the highlight of his visit to the army and people of Quang Tri in September 1973 as well as the extremely close affection of the Cuban Commander-in-Chief for the country and people of Vietnam. This time accompanying National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the delegation to the neighboring country, each of us further understood and felt more deeply the good relationship between the people of the two countries that was built by Cuban national hero José Martí, President Ho Chi Minh, President Fidel Castro, and has been diligently cultivated by generations of Cuban and Vietnamese leaders. It can be affirmed that in the history of the contemporary world, there are few relationships as special as the relationship between the two Parties, two States, and people of Vietnam and Cuba. Many important activities of the Chairman of the National Assembly of our country today and in the coming days continue to affirm that Vietnam always attaches importance to continuing to consolidate and enhance the special solidarity, friendship and exemplary loyalty between Vietnam and Cuba; promoting cooperation between the two countries' National Assemblies and cooperation in various fields.

“…Today, with infinite gratitude and admiration for you. We recall the glorious feats of arms and glorious victories. We remember the thousands, tens of thousands of heroic Vietnamese who sacrificed their blood and bones for the freedom of the Fatherland. But their efforts were not in vain. Their sacrifices were not in vain. From their blood and bones, an indomitable and victorious Vietnam is rising! Eternal glory belongs to the heroic martyrs who sacrificed for the Fatherland! Long live the heroic Vietnamese people! Long live the friendship of Cuba and Vietnam!”… (President Fidel speaking to the people of Quang Tri province, during his visit to Quang Tri on September 14 and 15, 1973)

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: VAN NGHIEP CHUC, LAM QUANG HUY

From Havana, Republic of Cuba

Nhandan.vn