Seminar highlights 65 years of Vietnam-Cuba unwavering brotherhood
Vietnam and Cuba have supported and helped each other during the most difficult times while sharing joy at each other's victories and successes as if they were their own.
Vietnamese and Cuban participants in the seminar. (Photo: VNA)
Havana (VNA) – Cuban scholars have highlighted the special, unwavering, and rare relationship between the fraternal nations of Cuba and Vietnam at a seminar marking 65 years of the two countries' friendship.
The event took place as part of the 7th national congress of the Cuban committee of the Latin American Association for Asian and African Studies (ALADAA), held in Havana on April 24–25.
During the seminar, speakers, including members of the Cuba – Vietnam Friendship Association, former Cuban ambassadors to Vietnam, and officials from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared experiences and memories about the two countries' struggles, along with their efforts to help nurture the special friendship between the two nations.
Cuban representatives affirmed that the two countries have supported and helped each other during the most difficult times while sharing joy at each other's victories and successes as if they were their own.
According to Cuban scholars, since the diplomatic relations were established 65 years ago (December 2, 1960), the friendship and cooperation between the two countries have been continuously strengthened and developed, becoming a model of friendship and brotherhood which Cuban Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro regarded as a symbol of the era.
Meanwhile, speaking at the plenary session of the congress, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long emphasised that despite being thousands of miles apart, the people of the two countries are as close as family members.
During difficult times of Vietnam, Cuba always provided the Southeast Asian nation with invaluable material and spiritual support, he noted, affirming the Vietnamese people will always stand by their Cuban peers in any circumstance.
The ambassador assessed that bilateral cooperation is being effectively promoted and expanded in all areas, including politics, economy, trade, culture, science, education, health, sports, security, and national defence.
𒁏 Every Vietnamese person deeply cherishes the immortal words of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro – “For Vietnam, Cuba is ready to devote its blood!”, which is a beautiful symbol of international solidarity and the special friendship between Cuba and Vietnam, he added./.
During an inspection tour of the westernmost province of Pinar del Río on April 25, the PM visited a joint rice cultivation project with Vietnam and was briefed on the progress of a large-scale pilot model underway in Los Palacios district.
During working sessions with representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Trade and Investment, and Finance and Prices, and the Central Bank of Cuba, the Vietnamese delegation expressed delight at the fruitful development of bilateral relations across channels and areas in recent times, affirming that the Party, State and people of Vietnam attach special importance to the special relations with the Latin American nation.
Addressing the event, Cuban Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes affirmed that Cuba will always stand alongside the Vietnamese Government and business community in their efforts to achieve the challenging target socio-economic goals.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
