Events Celebrated to Honor Fidel Castro’s Visit to Quang Tri Province

Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s visit to the newly-liberated region in central Quang Tri province in mid-September 1973 has become a symbol of fraternity between Vietnam and Cuba. Photo: VNA

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee for External Relations Vu Hai Ha on August 3 expressed his hope that the Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam will work closely with relevant Vietnamese agencies to hold celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s visit to Vietnam and the southern Vietnam liberated zone in the central province of Quang Tri,VietnamPlus reported.

Receiving Ambassador Nicolás Hernández Guillén in Hanoi, Ha, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group and Chairman of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association, said these activities will contribute to educating young generations about the traditional friendship between the two fraternal countries.

He also wished that the ambassador would continue fostering ties between the two nations and legislatures in the near future.

Following the Cuba visit by Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and a high-ranking delegation from the Vietnamese NA in April, Vietnam, and Cuba have witnessed positive cooperation developments in their relations, especially between the two legislative, he added.

For his part, the Cuban ambassador approved that Cuba will send a high-ranking delegation to Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s visit to Vietnam.

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee for External Relations Vu Hai Ha (R) and Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolás Hernández Guillén at the reception. Photo: VNA

Speaking highly of the theme and contents of the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians to be hosted by the Vietnamese NA, he thanked the Vietnamese legislature for inviting its Cuban counterpart to this event.

He also informed the host about several activities this year when Cuba assumes the role of rotating Chair of the Group of 77 and China.

Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s visit to the newly-liberated region in central Quang Tri province in mid-September 1973 has become a symbol of fraternity between Vietnam and Cuba, VOV said.

Then First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and Prime Minister Fidel Castro was the first foreign leader to visit the liberated zone in southern Vietnam, despite geographical distance and the dangers of the war at that time.

The Cuban leader’s trip helped encourage the Vietnamese army and people during the resistance war against the US, towards the victory on April 30, 1975.

Fidel Castro waves the all-victorious flag while meeting with liberation soldiers in Quang Tri. Photo: VNA

Through the visit, the Cuban leader sent a message of solidarity with Vietnam to the world, and Cuba became the pioneer in this regard.

Between 1961 and 1975, Cuba presented about 50,000 tonnes of sugar to Vietnam each year and sent doctors to the country to care for war invalids and sick soldiers.

Nearly 1 million Vietnamese students who studied in Cuba during the period have contributed significantly to national construction and defense after returning home./.