“President of Cuban Assembly Stresses Strong Bond Between Cuba and Vietnam”

President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba, Esteban Lazo Hernandez, and a high-level Cuban delegation received Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), representatives of the central Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association, the club of Vietnamese alumni who studied in Cuba, and the Truong Son – Ho Chi Minh Trail Traditional Association.

During the meeting in Hanoi, Hernandez mentioned the special bond between the Vietnamese and Cuban people and recalled the projects that Cuba helped Vietnam build, including the Thang Loi Hotel in Hanoi, the Vietnam – Cuba Hospital in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh province, Xuan Mai street, Ba Vi cattle farm, and Luong My chicken factory.

This is Hernandez’s fourth visit to Vietnam, and he expressed his joy in witnessing Vietnam’s progress and development towards President Ho Chi Minh’s vision of a “more dignified, bigger, and more beautiful” Vietnam.

President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba, Esteban Lazo Hernandez, with Vietnamese friends. Photo: Nguyen Son

Hernandez’s visit to Vietnam coincides with the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s visit to the liberated zone in South Vietnam and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam. He emphasized that these milestones demonstrate the brotherly love between the two peoples.

Hernandez proposed that Vietnamese delegations, especially youth delegations, visit Cuba to foster interaction with the Cuban people and learn about Cuba’s current situation, as well as continue to cultivate the special relationship between the two countries.

Nguyen Ngoc Hung, Vice President of VUFO, expressed gratitude to Hernandez for meeting with VUFO and the Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association. The meeting demonstrated Hernandez’s personal interest in people-to-people diplomatic affairs.

At the meeting, Hung and Noemí Rabaza Fernández, First Vice President of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), exchanged ideas to strengthen activities between the two organizations.

Since the signing of the cooperation agreement in 2020, VUFO and the Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association, in collaboration with ICAP and the Cuba – Vietnam Friendship Association, have organized numerous activities to materialize the content of the agreement.

VUFO Vice President Nguyen Ngoc Hung and representatives of the Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association with ICAP Vice President Noemí Rabaza Fernández. Photo: Thanh Luan

Noemí Rabaza Fernández suggested updating the agreement between ICAP and the two organizations to coordinate organizing tourist and youth groups to visit and exchange experiences in Cuba. These exchanges will allow young people to better understand Cuban history, the challenges Cuba has faced, and how it overcomes them.

Fernández also proposed promoting the achievements of cooperation between the two countries at both the central and local levels.

Juan Carlos Marsán Aguilera, Deputy Head of the Department of International Relations of the Cuban Communist Party’s Central Committee, suggested promoting cooperation programs between Vietnamese and Cuban provinces and cities, establishing sister localities. He also emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences in party-building work, educating the young generation about the brotherly love between the two peoples, and promoting ideological research on Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association, highlighted the practicality and effectiveness of the relationship between the two countries. He suggested promoting accurate information about Cuba and Vietnam, especially in Vietnamese primary school textbooks, and translating and publishing some of Ho Chi Minh’s works in Spanish with ICAP’s support.

Thao also proposed maintaining and increasing information about the two countries in the general education programs of Vietnam and Cuba and organizing a Cuban youth group to visit Vietnam for a summer vacation and stay with local families.

Nguyen Ngoc Hung assessed that VUFO, ICAP, and member organizations have effectively implemented the coordination program agreement between the parties for the period 2020-2025. He emphasized the importance of following the agreement, strengthening relations between member organizations, and deepening the relationship between the two countries.

In conclusion, the opinions proposed by the delegates at the meeting were enthusiastic, practical, and feasible. VUFO will summarize and continue discussions with ICAP to agree on implementation.