Vietnam and Cuba will always be together.

Although Vietnam and Cuba are separated by half the globe, the hearts of the two nations are always close and beat as one.

General Secretary and President To Lam met with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marreo Cruz on the afternoon of September 26 (local time) - Photo: VNA

The state visit, which was also the first visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to Cuba, once again demonstrated that extremely special affection.

At the invitation of the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of Cuba Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez and his wife, on September 25, General Secretary and President of Vietnam To Lam and his wife arrived in Havana.

Loyal and pure love

More than 45 years have passed since student Nguyen Viet Thao first set foot in Cuba. He later had many opportunities to return, witnessing the changes and development in the country.

"Whenever we think of Cuba, the image that comes to mind is that of a beautiful country with a healthy society, a country with a pure proletarian internationalist spirit. It is also a brotherly country with a rare and special affection for the Vietnamese revolution and nation, for the leaders and people of Vietnam," Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao, former deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, emotionally recalled in a conversation with Tuoi Tre newspaper.

During the years when Vietnam struggled to unify the country amidst countless difficulties, Cuba, despite its own shortages, provided Vietnam not only with immense and unwavering political support, but also with essential goods and supplies, including sugar, food, and medicine.

"Cuba also helped us find the necessary equipment to open the Truong Son Road, the Ho Chi Minh Trail, to serve the resistance war. I still remember the immortal words of leader Fidel Castro: 'For Vietnam, Cuba is ready to shed even its own blood!'", Mr. Thao shared.

But according to Mr. Thao, the bond and connection between the two countries existed long before that, sown by the Cuban national hero José Martí in the 19th century. That was when Martí wrote his work, "A Stroll on the Land of the Annamese People."

Although he never set foot in our country, he had a deep understanding of and special affection for this nation, believing that the people here would ignite the torch of national liberation, inspiring other nations.

The Cuban hero sacrificed his life on the battlefield against Spanish colonialism on May 19, 1895, at the age of 42. In Vietnam, another great figure, President Ho Chi Minh, was born on May 19, 1890. According to Mr. Nguyen Viet Thao, this coincidence has created another bond between the two nations.

"Even to this day, every year on May 19th, the Cuban people hold activities to commemorate the dual anniversaries of two national heroes of Vietnam and Cuba. Perhaps no other country in the world has such a dual commemoration," Mr. Thao shared.

Motivation to stay

General Secretary and President To Lam, together with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez, visited the Mariel Special Economic Zone - Photo: VNA

"We have repeatedly asked ourselves what motivates such a strong, close, and exemplary relationship between Vietnam and Cuba?" Mr. Thao said. He explained that it is because Vietnam and Cuba share common ideals and revolutionary paths, a path of development towards socialism starting from humble beginnings.

Today, the two countries continue to support and cooperate with each other, steadfastly pursuing the path of national independence and socialism. This is the factor that continues to strengthen the relationship between the two countries at a high level.

Sharing the same view, Dr. Ruvislei González Saez, head of the Asia-Oceania Research Department at the Cuban Center for International Policy Research, recalled the assistance and solidarity between the two countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Cuba transferred millions of vaccine doses and production technology to Vietnam.

"General Secretary and President To Lam's visit to Cuba this time is a gesture of immense importance and profound significance. The trip, taking place not long after he assumed his new position, demonstrates Vietnam's respect for Cuba and sends a message that Vietnam will always stand by Cuba during difficult times," Ruvislei González Saez told Tuoi Tre newspaper.

He expects the visit to contribute to further developing economic, trade, and financial relations between Cuba and Vietnam to match their political relationship.

Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly visits Vo Thi Thang School.

Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of the General Secretary and President To Lam, and Victoria Chu, a girl of Vietnamese and Cuban descent, at Vo Thi Thang Primary School - Photo: D.LINH

On the morning of September 26th (Havana time), Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of the General Secretary and President of Vietnam, visited Vo Thi Thang Primary School, established in 1968. She was accompanied by Mrs. Lis Cuesta Peraza, wife of the First Secretary and President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez. In a dignified space within the school, many images and artifacts related to Vietnam were displayed, particularly a photograph of Vo Thi Thang with her "victorious smile" before the Saigon government's court. Together with Mrs. Lis Cuesta Peraza, Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly visited the computer room – a gift from Vietnam to the school during General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's visit in 2018. Before leaving, the two First Ladies met with all the students and teachers. They took a group photo, presented some gifts to the school, and gave learning materials to the children. A Cuban child asked to hug and kiss Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly on the cheek. She happily agreed, kissed me on the cheek, and encouraged me and my friends to study hard and do well.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/viet-nam-cuba-mai-ben-nhau-20240927075702388.htm