Deep memories of Vietnam - Cuba brotherhood

When mentioning Cuba, Vietnamese people who have lived, studied and worked in this island nation have a special feeling. Their eyes are bright, joyful, and filled with memories of the beautiful country of Cuba and its warm-hearted people.

Photo caption — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents 10,000 tons of rice from the Party, State and people of Vietnam to the Party, State and people of Cuba through Cuban Ambassador Orlando Nicolás Hernández Guillén (2021). Photo: Duong Giang/ VNA

Although they are half a world away, with different cultures and languages, for them, the deep and steadfast feelings of comradeship and brotherhood between the people of Vietnam and Cuba are priceless assets, always deep in everyone's heart. Second homeland

Having studied in Cuba since 1976, former Deputy General Director of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Le Duy Truyen could not hide his pride and special affection for the place where he has countless memories and considers his second homeland. "In all the ups and downs of history, the feelings of the people of the East and West of the globe have always been deep and affectionate. When I found out that I was Vietnamese, even if it was the first time we met, the Cubans were very warm and friendly like family members. That not only moved me but also all the Vietnamese who had lived in Cuba," said Mr. Le Duy Truyen. During his university years, he and his friends participated in activities and movements of the Cuban student association, the Cuban youth union, Red Sunday, volunteer work... like the locals. He remembers most the times he joined millions of Cubans in protests, rallies, and marches to oppose the US embargo; supporting the national liberation movements in the world , including opposing the war on the northern border of Vietnam. As one of the Vietnamese students participating in the activity following the footsteps of Cuban revolutionaries, organized by the school in 1983, he and his fellow students walked for 3-4 days on the path where revolutionary Che Guevara commanded troops from the eastern provinces to liberate Sierra Maestra. Looking back at each photo he took when he was a VNA reporter in Cuba (1987-1991) and then Head of the VNA Resident Office here (2002-2005), having the opportunity to travel through all localities of Cuba, Mr. Le Duy Truyen shared that there are many schools, hospitals, streets... in Cuba named after Vietnamese lands and people. Typical examples include Tio Ho Primary School (Uncle Ho Primary School); Vo Thi Thang Primary School, Nguyen Van Troi Street (both in La Habana); Ben Tre village (Artemisia province); Nguyen Van Troi Stadium (Guantánamo province)... or some Cubans with the Vietnamese name Ha Noi... "Talking about impressions of Cuba, we cannot help but mention President Fidel Castro and his speeches and speeches. Even when we were queuing up to eat at school, we students stopped to listen. Even luckier, during my work in 1989, I was very surprised and moved when I shook hands with President Fidel Castro. It was a very tight and warm handshake", Mr. Le Duy Truyen recalled. Cuba's spirit of solidarity, loyalty, purity and great internationalism is expressed in President Fidel Castro's immortal saying: "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood" and President Ho Chi Minh also affirmed: "Vietnam and Cuba are thousands of miles apart, but the hearts of the two countries' people are as close as brothers in one family". Former Deputy General Director of VNA shared: "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. I believe that the world may change, Vietnam or Cuba will also change, but the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba will remain intact over the years". "Cuban character" in Vietnamese people After more than 13 years of living in Cuba, Mr. Vu Trung My, Deputy Director of the Americas Department (Central Foreign Affairs Commission), Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Venezuela, said that the time studying and working here were unforgettable days because the beauty of the country and the Cuban people always evoked all his emotions. They are hospitable people, warm-hearted, always bringing positive energy to everyone around them. It is these personalities that have inspired and created an open, friendly style, "full of Cuban character" in him and the Vietnamese people who have lived, studied and worked here.

"If they know I am Vietnamese, they are willing to invite me into their home to drink coffee, eat rice and talk a lot about Vietnam. In their minds, Vietnamese people are very patriotic, hard-working, hospitable, hardworking and are the 'birthplace of heroes'", Ambassador Vu Trung My recounted. In particular, he still remembers very clearly, on the day his second daughter was born, he was busy with his duties so he did not have time to return. But as soon as he heard the news, his friends in Cuba came to visit, encourage and congratulate him before... he met his daughter. Knowing that the girl was born on April 30, everyone gave his daughter the nickname Victory, which means victory. For Mr. My, this is also a beautiful and meaningful memory during his time working in Cuba. Regarding the deep affection between the people of the two countries, Ambassador Vu Trung My shared that National Hero José Martí was the first person to sow the seeds of close affection between Vietnam and Cuba and the people of the two countries through his work "A walk on the land of the Annamese", published in the magazine "Golden Age" for Cuban children in the late 19th century. Although Vietnam and Cuba are geographically half a world apart, they have many things in common. The similarities in the process of building and defending the country as well as the aspirations, ideals and heroic traditions of fighting for independence and freedom that the two countries share are the foundation for the special relationship between the two peoples. "Over the past 6 decades, since the two countries established diplomatic relations, we are proud of the exemplary relationship, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and loyal solidarity between the Party, State, Government and people of Vietnam and Cuba; at the same time, we believe that generations of people of the two countries will continue to preserve and write new pages of history, making this special friendship deeper and stronger", Ambassador Vu Trung My emphasized. Strong vitality For journalist Phan Ha Linh, Nhan Dan Newspaper (former student of Matanzas University "Camilo Cienfuegos"), Cuba is a "rich" nation. For him, this "richness" is not only due to the amazing natural beauty, but also from the kind, enthusiastic people who always have special affection and favor for the country and people of Vietnam. During the 6 years of living and studying in Cuba, Mr. Ha Linh said that Vietnamese students always received both material and spiritual help from the affectionate people of the Caribbean island nation. "Vietnamese people never get lost in Cuba because any local person will wholeheartedly guide them, even taking the time to take them to the right place. In the classroom, teachers and classmates are always interested and regularly ask about the study and life situation of Vietnamese students," said Mr. Ha Linh.

Sharing his unforgettable memories while studying here, Mr. Linh recalled the thoughtfulness and kindness of the doctors, nurses and Cuban people when they saved a Vietnamese student in critical condition in a traffic accident. Right at the scene of the accident, people unrelated to the incident used their personal cars to take the student to the city's largest hospital. During the emergency and consultation process, a treatment plan was proposed but some special medicines and medical supplies were needed. The medical team immediately mobilized valuable reserves and devoted themselves to the treatment. "The material conditions are still lacking, but the sincere feelings from the enthusiastic hearts of the Caribbean island nation can make anyone admire. Vietnam and Cuba may be far apart geographically, but the rare bond is no different from that of brothers in the same family," said journalist Phan Ha Linh. Similarly, during more than 10 years of studying and working in Cuba, journalist Pham Hoai Nam, Tin Tuc Newspaper, former Head of the Vietnam News Agency in Cuba (2011-2015) shared that the most impressive thing was the indomitable will and brave spirit of the people of this island nation throughout the struggle for independence. Having to go through countless difficulties and challenges under the pressure of the blockade and embargo imposed by the US, the Cuban people have never faltered, always steadfast in their will and strong vitality on the path of building socialism.

Journalist Pham Hoai Nam (photo) said that in the context of the persistent embargo, the Cuban people have never given up and that is even the motivation to rise up in the journey of building and developing the country. Although the economy is facing many difficulties, Cuba has always been recognized for its achievements in the fields of social security, health and education; it is one of the leading countries in the field of health and health care for its people. Cuba has built an education system that ensures that all citizens are exempt from tuition fees until the end of university. "Cuba is also a beautiful and hospitable island. The experiences here are probably not found anywhere else in the world," said Mr. Pham Hoai Nam. During his time studying and working in Cuba, Mr. Pham Hoai Nam said that the indigenous people always gave selfless, pure help and the most special affection to Vietnam. Whether they are people with direct relations with Vietnam or ordinary people, Cuban friends always talk about Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh with great respect, always showing their consistent support, in any circumstances. Talking about the most profound memory during his time on the "island of freedom", Mr. Pham Hoai Nam was moved to remember the time a Cuban friend he did not know gave him a ride. During a reporting trip, his car had a problem and was forced to stop in the middle of the road. While he was struggling to find a way to handle it in time, two Cuban friends drove by to ask him how he was doing. When they learned that he was a Vietnamese reporter, they did not hesitate to get out of the car to help. Seeing that they could not handle the problem while he needed to leave urgently, they decided to split up, one stayed to watch the car and the other drove him to the event, waited for Mr. Nam to finish, and took him back to the parking lot. "After that, we became close friends and have kept in touch until now. That memory, to me, is also a testament to the special affection Cuban friends always have for Vietnam. This is also part of the reason why Vietnamese people who have lived, studied and worked in Cuba always consider this island nation their second homeland," said Pham Hoai Nam.