See the painting of President Fidel Castro preserved for more than half a century in Vietnam

The exhibition 'Loyalty and Love' at the Vietnam Women's Museum is introducing a portrait of President Fidel Castro that has been kept in the family of journalist Huynh Dung Nhan and his son for more than half a century.

A portrait of President Fidel Castro, preserved by journalist Huynh Dung Nhan's family for more than half a century, is being introduced at the exhibition - Photo: T.DIEU

The exhibition is organized by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Museum, the Vietnam Women's Museum, the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam... organized to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba.

Deep gratitude

Mr. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam, affirmed that this is a profound tribute to the historical relationship between the two peoples, a relationship that has been forged over many generations and always preserved as a priceless treasure, becoming a shining example of international solidarity.

The images, posters and artifacts displayed at the exhibition have been carefully selected by experts, aiming to recreate typical milestones in the journey of cultivating Vietnam - Cuba brotherhood.

Mr. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam - affirmed that the exhibition is a profound tribute to the historical relationship between the two peoples - Photo: T.DIEU

He did not forget to recall the beautiful story of the past: the campaign to support the Cuban people launched by the Red Cross and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, received millions of contributions from the Vietnamese people along with countless emotional messages of sharing.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet - Director of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Museum and the Vietnam Women's Museum - affirmed that the preparation process for this exhibition was a journey of the heart, a journey that the museum staff had put a lot of effort into, and many sincere emotions when coming into contact with documents, stories and artifacts about the Vietnam - Cuba friendship.

The exhibition features many documents and artifacts displayed to the public for the first time. For example, the banner "A Melba with Fidel always doing revolution with Uncle Ho forever loyal heart" by Ms. Melba Hernández Rodríguez, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Vietnam, was given on the occasion of her 75th birthday, July 28, 1996.

And especially the portrait of President Fidel Castro painted by a Cuban artist who was in Vietnam, together with the Vietnamese people, overcoming bombs and bullets, and lasting until today.

A former Cuban student was happy to see himself again during his years studying in Cuba, welcoming Prime Minister Pham Van Dong in a photo at the exhibition - Photo: T.DIEU

Father and son journalists take turns working

According to the organizers, this is a portrait given by the Cuban leader to the delegation of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam during their visit to Cuba during the war against the US.

Accompanying the delegation was journalist Huynh Hung Ly, who was assigned to receive and preserve the work. For more than half a century, he and his family have kept the painting as a "treasure" and consider it a sacred memory of the journalism profession.

In 2024, journalist Huynh Dung Nhan, son of journalist Huynh Hung Ly, decided to donate the relic to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Museum.

Journalist Huynh Dung Nhan tells the touching story of how his family has preserved a portrait of Fidel Castro for more than half a century - Photo: T.DIEU

At the exhibition opening on December 5, journalist Huynh Dung Nhan recounted that during the years of the anti-American resistance war, his father, journalist Huynh Hung Ly, went to Cuba with a delegation and was given a beautiful portrait of President Fidel Castro. The painting was painted by a Cuban artist, with the year of creation written on the back as 1966. He brought it back to Vietnam and has kept it carefully ever since.

Mr. Huynh Dung Nhan still remembers the years of war resistance and subsidy in Hanoi, his family lived in the Nhan Dan newspaper apartment complex on Ly Thuong Kiet street, right behind the Cuban embassy.

In 1972, the apartment complex was bombed and collapsed, but Mr. Nhan's family was still able to bring the painting with them.

After 1975, his family moved to the South to live. Among all their possessions, the family also chose to bring this large painting with them and it was always hung in a prominent position.

During President Fidel Castro's two visits to Vietnam in 1973 and 1995, Mr. Nhan and his son were successively journalists participating in reporting on Fidel Castro's visits.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hue (right), a former student studying in Cuba, was happy to see herself again when she was young in a photo of her and her classmates cutting sugarcane to help the Cuban people - Photo: T.DIEU

Shirt given to Major General Nguyen Thi Dinh by Fidel Castro, First Secretary of the Communist Party and Prime Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Government, on display at the exhibition - Photo: T.DIEU

Love messages from students to Cuba at the exhibition - Photo: T.DIEU

BIRD OF PARADISE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xem-buc-tranh-chu-tich-fidel-castro-duoc-gin-giu-hon-nua-the-ky-o-viet-nam-20251206081811808.htm