Hanoi Honors Cuban National Hero Jose Marti on His 172nd Birthday
	Seminar to Update on Cuba Situation and Vietnam - Cuba Cooperation Prospects

Speaking at the event, Phan Van Quy, vice president of the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association, recalled the significance of the Giron Victory for the Cuban people. On April 17, 1961, counter-revolutionary Cuban exiles, backed by the U.S. military, launched an assault on Cuba’s Giron Beach (Bay of Pigs) with the aim of seizing territory and overthrowing the nascent revolutionary government.

A musical performance at the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Gathering. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Under the direct command of Commander Fidel Castro, Cuban armed forces and local people heroically resisted the invasion, ultimately defeating the landing campaign. Their victory on April 19, 1961, at Giron Beach became a historic milestone in Cuba’s revolutionary struggle.

Phan Van Quy, vice president of the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

According to Phan Van Quy, despite the geographical distance between Vietnam and Cuba, the two peoples have always stood side by side in their common struggle for independence and freedom, as well as in their ongoing efforts to build and develop their nations. He affirmed that the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association is committed to nurturing the loyal and pure relationship between the two nations. The Association will continue to work closely with the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), and the Cuba - Vietnam Friendship Association to preserve and promote this precious spiritual legacy.

Nguyen Huy Quang, vice president of the Vinh Phuc Union of Friendship Organizations, noted that since Vinh Phuc and Cuba’s Mayabeque province signed a cooperation agreement on September 26, 2024, the two sides have engaged in various meaningful exchanges, including correspondence, virtual meetings between provincial leaders, and collaboration in agriculture, education, and healthcare. Vinh Phuc is currently working with Mayabeque to develop a cooperation plan for the next phase.

The Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Gathering served as a moment for both sides to reflect on 65 years of solidarity while opening up new prospects for future cooperation. Nguyen Huy Quang expressed hope that through such friendship activities, the people of Vinh Phuc, along with local businesses, friends, and Cuban partners, will further strengthen ties and contribute to deepening bilateral relations.

Joy Puentes Saldise, deputy ambassador of Cuba to Vietnam. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Joy Puentes Saldise, deputy ambassador of Cuba to Vietnam, emphasized that the Giron Victory is not only a source of pride for the Cuban people but also an inspiration to nations striving for independence and sovereignty. He praised the strong and sincere bond between Vietnam and Cuba as a model of revolutionary-based international cooperation. He highlighted that the partnership between Vinh Phuc and Mayabeque is a vivid example of the special friendship between the two countries.

"The Cuban Embassy in Vietnam is always ready to serve as a bridge to promote cooperation between localities of both countries, especially in areas of strength such as culture, education, healthcare, tourism, economy, and trade," said Joy Puentes Saldise.

The delegation visits the pharmaceutical manufacturing plant of Vinh Phuc Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company (VINPHACO). (Photo: Dinh Hoa) On this occasion, the delegation visited the Vinh Phuc Provincial Museum and held a working session with Vinh Phuc Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company (VINPHACO). At the meeting, Do Van Doanh, general director of VINPHACO, expressed interest in cooperating with Cuban enterprises to export VINPHACO’s pharmaceutical products to Cuba, while also importing and distributing Cuba’s high-tech, specialized medicines in Vietnam. The Cuban Deputy Ambassador appreciated VINPHACO’s pharmaceutical manufacturing technology and noted that the two countries have a long-standing history of cooperation in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. Over the past two decades, many Cuban medicines have been distributed in Vietnam, and vice versa. The Cuban Embassy in Vietnam will encourage Cuban enterprises to establish working groups to explore investment and business opportunities in Vietnam, and support Vietnamese businesses in accessing the Cuban market.

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