The vehicle from the Political Department of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces carried us from Havana on a drizzly morning, heading towards Matanzas province. Accompanying us were Lieutenant Colonel Antonio (affectionately known as Dâu), an officer from the Political Department, and our female interpreter, Senior Lieutenant Claudya (affectionately known as Hồng). The highway stretched like a dark silk ribbon along the coast, with turquoise waters on one side and rolling hills and meadows on the other, lush with vegetation. The Cuban landscape reminded those traveling halfway around the world of the coastal countryside of Southern and South Central Vietnam. It also had two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. And rows of coconut trees leaned over long stretches of sun-drenched sand. Matanzas is one of Cuba's so-called tourist paradises, possessing a refined and elegant beauty, like a princess nestled beside the ocean's window. Amidst the Cuban landscape, everything felt strangely familiar. The lush green patches of wild vegetables exude the aroma of mint, purslane, amaranth... and even the scent of honeygrass. At dawn and dusk, flocks of seagulls swoop down towards the beachgoers, playfully gliding over them. A feeling of closeness and familiarity welled up in our hearts, as if we were returning to a familiar memory rather than setting foot in a distant land for the first time...

The delegation from the People's Army Newspaper worked with the Political Department of the Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba on propaganda and army building. Photo: TRONG HAI

Gazing at the vibrant red peony blossoms that seemed to ignite the entire hillside, Colonel Vu Xuan Dan, Chief of Staff of the People's Army Newspaper, exclaimed with delight:

- Even though I'm halfway around the world, it feels like I'm strolling through the fields and gardens of my hometown!

That exclamation is not an exaggeration, but a very real and relatable emotion. The scenery here evokes the verses from the poem "From Cuba" by the poet To Huu. More than six decades ago, upon arriving in "Cuba, the Island of Fire, the Island of Intoxication...", the famous poet of Vietnamese revolutionary poetry had beautiful feelings and associations: "...Looking at you, I imagine myself at home / The girl from Hon Gai guarding the distant sea / Remembering the sisters from the South chasing the enemy / Amidst the reeds of Dong Thap , the sugarcane of Tuy Hoa...".

That's absolutely true! The similarities between the two countries are not only in their beautiful nature but also deeply ingrained in the souls of their people through generations, stemming from the history of struggle to gain and maintain independence and freedom for each nation. During our days in Cuba, every step we took was met with warm hospitality from the people. From the hotel receptionist and security guard to the taxi drivers and street singers... when they learned we were from Vietnam, everyone smiled brightly, waved, and greeted us with the familiar phrase: "Ola Vietnam! Viva Vietnam! Viva Ho Chi Minh !" (Hello Vietnam! Long live Vietnam! Long live Ho Chi Minh!).

Along the road to Matanzas, a truly striking image appeared before us. On the mountaintop overlooking the blue sea, a column of bright red fire shot straight up into the sky. We asked Lieutenant Claudya about it, and he explained that the fire was coming from the chimney of the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant. During the plant's operation, one chimney constantly emits a brilliant stream of fire, like a giant torch on the coast. This image was incredibly powerful and deeply metaphorical. Cuba is known as the "Island of Fire." It is the flame of national spirit, of the unwavering and indomitable will to fight for independence and freedom, kindled by legendary figures such as the great leader Fidel Castro and outstanding national heroes like José Martí Pérez, Antonio Maceo, and Che Guevara... This immortal flame is a generational legacy, forging the inner strength of the Cuban people to overcome countless difficulties and challenges, standing tall and proud like a solid fortress in the Caribbean. It is for this reason that everywhere in Cuba, one can easily find the symbol of fire, carrying the indomitable spirit and message of the Cuban people. It is the torch from statues and ancient architectural structures. It is the flickering fire at the Castillo del Morro fortress during a night festival. To the stirring music, Cuban soldiers raise their brightly burning torches, shouting their oath to defend the country's borders and greeting visitors from near and far. The sound of cannons and the waves echoing against the ancient stone walls, over 500 years old, resonate like the echoes of centuries of struggle to defend the country. Walking in the flickering firelight, we felt even more deeply the flame of revolutionary spirit, of the belief in victory, and of the solidarity and friendship between the people of Cuba and Vietnam. Despite the vast ocean separating them, the flame continues to burn brightly, enduring through all challenges...

This is the first time the People's Army Newspaper has sent a delegation to Cuba. The delegation is led by Major General Doan Xuan Bo, Party Secretary and Editor-in-Chief, and includes Colonel Vu Xuan Dan, Chief of Office; Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Trong Hai, Head of the Photo Department; Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Hieu, reporter; and myself, Colonel Phan Tung Son, Head of the Representative Office in Ho Chi Minh City. Our trip, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba (December 2, 1960 / December 2, 2025), further heightened our excitement and appreciation as soldier-journalists. We are filled with profound emotions at the revolutionary achievements that the two Parties and peoples of the two countries have attained throughout their long history of national liberation struggles and the preservation of independence and freedom. Before departing, Major General Doan Xuan Bo told the delegation members: "This is a rare honor and opportunity for soldier-journalists, demonstrating the concern of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and the leadership of the General Political Department of the Vietnam People's Army for press and media work in the Army. Therefore, we must gather special results and impressions from practice, contributing to improving the quality and effectiveness of propaganda work, and successfully building a model of a multi-media press and media agency in the digital environment." And then, after more than 10 days of immersing ourselves in reality, living on the "Island of Fire, Island of Drunkenness" with our Cuban friends and comrades, what we experienced and felt far exceeded the results of a normal business trip...

Our brotherly country, Cuba, has been close to the Vietnamese people for over six decades. But it was only when we lived on the "Island of Fire, Island of Intoxication" that we truly understood the profound similarities between our two countries. In the small room arranged to welcome the delegation at the airport, Major General Marcelo Perez, Deputy Head of Political Affairs, Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, and other members of the delegation successively gave us warm hugs, expressing the loyal and close bond of comradeship and brotherhood. The aroma of steaming hot coffee and friendly, slightly humorous remarks immediately erased all boundaries of time and geographical distance, helping us forget the fatigue from the more than 20-hour flight, not to mention the more than 8-hour layover in Paris (France).

Major General Marcelo Perez mentioned the enduring friendship and solidarity that the Parties, States, and peoples of both countries have diligently cultivated. This is an invaluable asset that today's generation has a responsibility to preserve and develop. Recent visits and exchanges between leaders of the Parties, States, and Armed Forces of the two countries have further strongly promoted the relationship and deepened cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba.

Receiving the warm sentiments of his Cuban comrades, Major General Doan Xuan Bo shared: "As soon as we set foot here, we felt the warmth of kinship, like returning to our blood brothers. For the past 65 years, the special relationship between Vietnam and Cuba, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and President Fidel Castro, has become a symbol of the times. Like Cuba, Vietnam has gone through years of fierce war. This delegation's trip is not only a defense diplomacy activity but also a journey to rekindle the tradition of the journalists of the People's Army Newspaper, carrying the full trust and expectations of our numerous readers..."

The torchlight and the blue sea—two contrasting colors—create depth in the captivating landscape of the "Island of Fire." The enduring beauty of nature and the history and culture of generations of Cuban people shines like an immortal flame on the blue Caribbean Sea...

(to be continued)

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/song-cung-dao-lua-dao-say-ky-1-duoc-sang-va-bien-xanh-938560