Ten landmarks in Cuba-Vietnam relations
On the occasion of a visit to our country by Nguyen Phu Trong, secretary general of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Granma offers a summary of events shared by the sister nations
Author: National news staff | informacion@granma.cu
march 28, 2018 08:03:40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Jorge Oller
1- THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATONS:
During the commemoration of the landing of the yacht Granma and the creation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, December 2, 1960, Fidel announced the decision to establish formal diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
2- ACADEMIC EXCHANGE:
In the 1960s, the first group of Vietnamese students arrived in Cuba. Since 1961, more than 3,000 have studied different fields here. Cuba offers scholarships every year to youth to pursue degrees here.
3- SOLIDARITY:
September 25, 1963, the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam was founded, headed by Moncada heroine Melba Hernández and supported by mass organizations across the island. Public events and symposiums were organized to denounce the horrors of napalm. Today the organization is known as the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association.
4-NATIONAL BALLET OF CUBA VISITS VIETNAM:
In 1964, members of the BNC, led by Alicia Alonso, visited Hanoi – the first cultural company to travel to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam – and was received by Ho Chi Minh. Years later, in 1978, the BNC danced before 17,000 spectators and the delegation was awarded the country’s Friendship Medal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Ballet Nacional de Cuba en Vietnam. Encuentro con Ho Chi Minh, a la entrada en el Palacio en Hanoi. Photo: Osvaldo Salas

5-CUBA WILLING TO SHED ITS BLOOD FOR VIETNAM:
During a solidarity with South Vietnam event, June 3, 1969, Fidel stated “…when we say that we are willing to shed our blood, we are not saying anything extraordinary, because the people of Vietnam have not offered to shed their blood for us or other peoples, but rather have shed blood for us and other peoples!”
6-FIDEL’S FIRST VISIT TO VIETNAM:
The Comandante en Jefe became the first head of state to visit liberated areas in South Vietnam, crossing the 17th parallel, with the war still underway. (The moment is pictured above)
7- CONSTRUCTION BRIGADES:
After his visit to Vietnam, Fidel directed the creation of the Ho Chi Minh Contingent, including more than 1,000 men. Outstanding among their efforts was the Victoria Hotel, today a symbol of the deep ties of friendship and cooperation shared by the two peoples.
8- VIETNAMESE RICE:
Rice is an essential component of the Cuban diet, and is one of the principal products imported from Vietnam.
9-A DEEP FRIENDSHIP:
In 2005, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of South Vietnam’s liberation and the country’s unification, Army General Raúl Castro, then second secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and a vice president of the Councils of State and Minister, again travels to Vietnam.
10-SUPPORT IN HARD TIMES:
After the death of Cuba’s Comandante en Jefe in November of 2016, a high level delegation led by Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, member of the Communist Party’s Central Committee and president of the National Assembly, attended
the funeral events in Cuba. Many other authorities sent their condolences.