'Vietnam's Experience is a Valuable Lesson for Cuba'

At this meeting, Esteban Lazo Hernandez said: Despite geographically distance and language differency, Vietnam and Cuba are united and close in spirit. At a march at Jose Marti Revolution Square in La Habana on January 2, 1966, President Fidel Castro said: "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood". In 1973, President Fidel Castro was the first head of state to visit the liberated area of ​​Southern Vietnam in Quang Tri.

In the past, Cuba sent experts to help Vietnam build bridges and roads; supported Vietnam in sugar cane, agriculture, and livestock industries. Nowadays, Vietnam is Cuba's second largest trading partner in Asia; the largest foreign investor in Cuban Mariel Special Development Zone with 5 projects implemented. Vietnam is the main rice supplier for distribution to each Cuban household.

“Experiences from Vietnam will be valuable lessons for Cuba to overcome difficult times and develop the country. As President Fidel Castro said at the 7th Conference of the Communist Party of Cuba: Cuba will certainly overcome difficulties and achieve victory. Cuba will move faster if it has Vietnam's support, solidarity and selfless assistance,” he said.

Talking about the economic and social situation in Cuba, Jorge Luis Broche Lorenzo, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and head of its Economic – Productive Department, said: In the difficult and complicated situation, Cuba has always received pure and selfless support and assistance from Vietnam. Vietnam's assistance plays an important role, contributing to helping Cuba successfully implement its socio-economic development plan until 2030.
 

Vu Hai Ha, Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee, President of the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association, expressed his emotion at the news that the National Assembly of People's Power observed a minute of silence for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during the plenary session on July 19 and announced a State funeral on July 20-21 and funeral ceremonies on July 22. The presence of the Cuban delegation led by Esteban Lazo Hernandez at the State funeral for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong demonstrated the solidarity, bond and sharing between the Party, State and People of Cuba and the Party, State and people of Vietnam.

Vu Hai Ha expressed gratitude to Cuba for its wholehearted support to Vietnam during its fight for independence and national progress. Vietnam understands and empathizes with Cuba's challenging circumstances and concurrently opposes any unilateral economic, trade, investment, and financial blockades or embargoes against Cuba. Vietnam is willing to exchange experiences, offer support, and collaborate with Cuba towards the advancement of both nations, fostering practical and beneficial cooperation for the peoples of both countries.

The Vietnamese National Assembly will fully implement the cooperation agreement between the two National Assemblies during the visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Cuba, thereby promoting more vibrant investment and trade cooperation between the two countries.
 

Regarding cooperation in people-to-people diplomacy, Phan Anh Son, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, said: The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association have recently had many practical and effective cooperation activities with Cuban partners, such as the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam, and the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association.

Besides coordinating in events for anniversaries and significant holidays of both nations, VUFO consistently engages with the Cuban Ambassador and Embassy in Hanoi to stay informed about Cuba's developments. This facilitates the sharing of insights with diplomatic missions and the mobilization of international partners and organizations through various forums to support Cuba's Party, State, and people.

VUFO and the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam have collaborated extensively to foster mutual understanding and sentiment between the two peoples, particularly the youth, thus strengthening and nurturing the special bond between Vietnam and Cuba through people-to-people relations. Moreover, VUFO has been proactive in connecting and encouraging Vietnamese businesses to explore investment, commercial, and cooperative opportunities with Cuban entities.

VUFO, the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association will continue to innovate the content, approach and thinking in implementing people-to-people diplomacy activities to contribute to promoting the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.
 

“For our generation, the Vietnamese alumni, Cuba is associated with beautiful memories. Although we have lived far from Cuba for many years, each of us has always followed and wholeheartedly supported Cuba. Currently, there are less Vietnamese students in Cuba.To foster a deeper understanding and affection for Cuba among Vietnamese people, we are eager to engage in activities that involve meeting and conversing with the youth. We share stories of Cuba's nation, its people, and the student experience with young people and their families. We encourage Vietnamese students to visit Cuba whenever possible. It is our hope that through education and travel, the citizens of both nations will grow closer."

Phuong Song Lien, former Vietnamese student in Cuba from 1967 to 1973