Vietnam, Cuba Ties - Rare in International Relations

Vietnam and Cuba have maintained a special, pure, and faithful relationship, which is a rare one in international relations, Vijay Sakhuja, Director at the Centre for Public Policy Research under the Indian Council of World Affairs, VNA cited an article posted on the reporteasia.com website.

Although geographically far apart, Vietnam and Cuba have maintained close relations since they established diplomatic relations on December 2, 1960, he wrote, noting that this year, Vietnam and Cuba are celebrating the 60th founding anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam (September 25, 1963-2023) and the 50th anniversary of Cuba leader Fidel Castro Ruz’s first visit to Vietnam and the liberated zone in the South of Vietnam (September 1973).

Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Vietnamese heroine Ta Thi Kieu. Photo: VNA

The Indian expert highlighted the special relationship between President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban leader Fidel Castro. In September 1973, to support Vietnam's national liberation cause, Fidel became the first and only foreign head of state to visit the liberated zone in the South of Vietnam while the war was still fierce, bringing great encouragement to the Vietnamese army and people.

He wrote that Vietnam and Cuba have maintained their commitment to bring bilateral cooperation to new heights in various fields.

The leaders of the two countries have actively promoted bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Although the current trade exchange value is still modest at about USD 250 to 300 million, two-way turnover is capable of reaching USD 500 million by 2025.

The two countries have supported each other to overcome difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic. In July 2020, Vietnam provided COVID-19 vaccines to Cuba and announced that the two countries would strengthen cooperation in the field of military medicine. In 2021, during the third wave of the pandemic in Vietnam, Cuba provided 10 million doses of its home-grown coronavirus vaccine, Abdala to Vietnam.

Vietnam constantly promotes peace and stability in the world, while maintaining a policy of neutrality in politics with major countries. In 2021, Vietnam called on the US to review its policy towards Cuba and normalize relations with Havana for the benefit of the two peoples, contributing to peace, stability, and development of the region and the world.

Delegates visit the photo exhibition themed "Great Victory of Vietnam and Cuba" launched by the Cuban Embassy in Hanoi. Photo: VNA

The Indian expert appreciated the stance of Vietnam and believed that Hanoi was in a position to create favorable conditions for a constructive dialogue between Cuba and the US.

Cuba’s media also has run articles highlighting Fidel Castro's first visit to Vietnam and the liberated zone in Quang Tri during the war five decades ago.

The online newspaper Juventud Rebelde, Cuban national news agency ACN, and many other news outlets on September 12 published articles recounting the leader’s journey to the land.

Cuba also played a crucial role in rallying Latin American countries to support Vietnam's entry into the United Nations at the organization’s 32nd General Assembly in 1977.

In related news, the Vietnam News Agency Publishing House has introduced to the public a book on the visit by Cuban leader Fidel Castro to the liberated zone in Vietnam's central province of Quang Tri during the war 50 years ago.

The publication of the bilingual book in Vietnamese and Spanish named "Fidel Castro - Vi Viet Nam, nguyen hien dang ca mau! Fidel Castro - Nuestra Sangre Por Vietnam" (Fidel Castro: Our blood for Vietnam) marks the 50th anniversary of the Cuban leader’s visit, reminding people of his famous saying “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood.”

The book by Cuba’s Prensa Latina News Agency is a collection of articles and photos about Fidel’s visit, many of which are provided by the Vietnam News Agency.

The authors of the articles are veteran journalists of Prensa Latina who have worked in Hanoi such as Gustavo Robreno Dolz, Moisés Pérez Mok, Jesus Martí Díaz, and Alberto Salazar.

The 76-page book is expected to help readers better understand the context of and the preparations for Fidel’s visit to Quang Tri. He desired to visit the newly liberated area in South Vietnam, even though the place was still being ravaged by bombs and bullets.

The Publishing House also introduced another book about the Cuban leader named “Fidel Castro - Huyen thoai xuyen the ky” (Fidel Castro - A Legend through Centuries), a collection of articles and writings about the Cuban leader collected, selected and translated by veteran journalist Pham Dinh Loi.

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