(VNF) - In the night of December 31^st, the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association (VCFA) and the club of Vietnamese alumni in Cuba co-organised a gathering on the 59^th anniversary of the Triumph of Cuba’s Revolution (January 1^st, 1959-2018) in Hanoi.

At the friendship gather in Cuban Embassy in Vietnam.

The gathering attracted the participation of a large number of Vietnamese alumni in Cuba, members of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association, Cuban students in Vietnam and embassy staff.

Speaking at the meeting, Nguyen Duy Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association emphasised that the friendship between these nations has passed the test of time and has been maintained during the wars and ups and downs of the international situation. He recalled the year 1976 was named “Heroic Vietnam Year” by Cuba as part of its support to Vietnam.

On the occasion of the New Year, he extended his best wishes to Ambassador Rivera and Cuban community in Vietnam.

Cuban Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera, in turn, hailed Vietnam’s assistance to and cooperation with Cuba in perse fields, thereby further reinforcing their traditional relations, adding that Vietnam’s support for and sentiment towards Cuba are a great gift.

She also wished Vietnamese friends and Cuban community in Vietnam a happy and successful new year and hoped that the Vietnam-Cuba a relations would develop in a sustainable manner.

Those in attendance at the gathering enjoyed traditional Vietnamese and Cuban dishes as well as songs and dances which created a very friendly and warm night.

Cuban Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera pose for photo with Embassy staff and guests.

On July 26th,1953, Fidel Castro led an attack that set the Cuban revolution in motion. Though the attack ultimately failed and Castro didn’t assume leadership until January 1^st, 1959, the day became a symbol of the revolutionary spirit—the unreserved resolve to challenge a rejected regime—even if that revolutionary spirit did not lead to immediate success. The Cuban people and government celebrate that symbol every year on Revolution Day.

Cuba and Vietnam established diplomatic ties on December 2^nd, 1960. Since then, Fidel Castro, Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and following leaders of the two countries have continually nurtured the solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between the two Parties, States and peoples.

Fidel Castro made three visits to Vietnam in September 1973, December 1995, and February 2003. He was the first foreign leader to visit the newly-liberated area in the central province of Quang Tri in September 1973. He was also a country leader who took the lead in international movements to support Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and reunification, along with national development and defence.

The image of the Cuban commander-in-chief, in his olive uniform, standing in an enemy’s blockhouse raising the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, became an extremely impressive image and a source of encouragement to Vietnamese people./.

Minh Chau