Special Art Program Commemorating Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro

Delegates at the event. Photo: toquoc.vn

The Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly, Vuong Dinh Hue, and the President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba, Esteban Lazo Hernández, attended a special music show in Santiago de Cuba on April 22 (local time). This event commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam as well as the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro Ruz’s visit to Vietnam and the newly liberated zone in Quang Tri province, according to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Fidel Castro was the first – and only – foreign leader to visit the newly-liberated area in the south of Vietnam during the anti-US resistance war. His historic visit in 1973 demonstrated his unwavering solidarity with Vietnamese freedom fighters and their struggle against American occupation.

He also spearheaded the international effort to back Vietnam’s fight for independence, reunification, progress, and defense.

The park named after the Cuban leader in Quang Tri was officially opened in 2018 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of his visit to the liberated area in southern Vietnam (now Quang Tri province) in 1973.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP) Fernando Gonzalez Llort, who is also a member of the National Assembly of the People’s Power of Cuba, underscored the significance of the establishment of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam, now known as the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association (CVFA). He noted that the initiative was initiated by the late Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.

He asserted that the committee had orchestrated a number of initiatives to demonstrate solidarity with Vietnam, such as initiating a mass mobilization to demonstrate solidarity with Vietnam throughout the country and on the international stage at organizations like the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and others.

Art performance by Vietnamese artists. Photo: toquoc.vn

Cuban artists at the event. Photo: toquoc.vn

Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong has asserted that Cuba has always been a steadfast and dependable friend and ally to Vietnam, especially in the most challenging period of the Vietnamese revolution, as reported by Toquoc.vn.

Vietnam will endeavor to uphold, safeguard, nurture, and transmit the unique, strong, and loyal bond between the two Parties, States, and peoples to future generations, the Prime Minister declared.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue presents flowers to congratulate Cuban artists. Photo: toquoc.vn

On the special occasion, Vietnamese Party and State leaders, through the Chairman Hue, presented the Friendship Order of the Vietnamese State to the International Commission for the Promotion of Aeronautics (ICAP) and the Civil Aviation Federation of America (CVFA), as well as to ICAP President Llort. In addition, a Friendship Medal was also awarded to CVFA Vice Chairman Ruvislei González Saez.

The highlight of the program was the stirring song, “Remembering the Hero”, which commemorated President Fidel Castro’s historic visit to Vietnam in 1973.

The event was the last activity of the Cuba visit by NA Chairman Hue and his entourage before they depart for an official visit to Argentina. Photo: toquoc.vn

In addition, the program featured some electrifying and special performances from artists of both countries, which were met by an enthusiastic response from the theater’s entire audience. This included the chorus group “Santiaguera”, singer Zulema Iglesias with her song “Santigao”, the city’s signature festive dance performed by the Kutumba group, as well as singer Vu Thang Loi singing “Besame Mucho”. To top it off, there were also combined dance and music performances of “Rico Vacilon”, “Guantanamera” and “As if Uncle Ho were with us on Victory Day”.

The combination of performances from both countries’ art forms demonstrated the exchange, cooperation, and strengthening of the spirit of solidarity, cultivating and developing the special, faithful, and pure friendship between the people of Vietnam and Cuba. During the program, delegates frequently stood up, clapped, and chanted “Viva Cuba! Viva Vietnam!”

Participating in this program, the people of Santiago de Cuba city have the unique chance to visit an exhibition displaying special and distinctive photographs of the remarkable and rare friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, which was established by President Ho Chi Minh and leader Fidel Castro with great effort. Additionally, the exhibition also highlights the close ties, strengthened cooperation, and progress between the National Assemblies of Vietnam and Cuba.