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

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.

(Granma)

During his stay, the distinguished visitor will hold official talks with the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, and undertake other activities.

Phu Trong was born on April 14, 1944, in the Dong Hoi Commune, Dong Anh District, Hanoi. In 1963, he enrolled in the Faculty of Literature of the University of the Vietnamese capital, where he obtained the title of Bachelor of Literature.

On December 19, 1967, he joined the ranks of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Between December of 1967 and August of 1973, he served as editor of the Communist Magazine, the theoretical and political voice of the Party Central Committee. Subsequently, he attended a postgraduate course at the Nguyen Ai Quoc Political Economy School, today the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics.

In 1981, he was sent to the Soviet Union to study, and there he obtained the title of doctor from the Academy of Social Sciences of the USSR.

In the Party, he has undertaken various roles including: Deputy head and then head of the Party Central Committee Construction Department (1983-1989); Deputy editor (1990-1991) and Editor in Chief of the Communist Magazine (1991-1996).

Between 1996 and 1998 he served as Assistant Secretary of the Party Provincial Committee in the city of Hanoi. Afterwards, and through 2000, he was a member of the Party Central Committee Political Bureau, and in charge of the ideological-cultural and scientific-educational matters of this body. Between 1999 and 2001, he was a Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee Political Bureau.

Among other responsibilities he has held are: Secretary of the Party Provincial Committee in Hanoi (2000 – 2006); as well as the Vice President and then President of the Central Committee Theoretical Council, in charge of the theoretical works of the Party (1998- 2006).

He was a member of the Party Central Committee during the VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII Congresses; of the Central Committee Political Bureau during the VIII, IX, X, XI and XII Congresses; and Deputy to the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam during the XI, XII and XIII Legislatures.

He was also elected President of the National Assembly of Vietnam in the XI and XII Legislatures; and General Secretary of the Party Central Committee in the XI and XII Congresses.

In April 2012, he made an official visit to Cuba, and was presented with the highest decoration awarded by the Cuban Council of State, the José Martí Order, by the President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, during a ceremony at the Palace of the Revolution.

On that occasion, Phu Trong highlighted what Cuba means to his people. “Cuba is for the Vietnamese an example of revolutionary heroism, selfless internationalism, iron will and deep conviction in the justness of the cause of freedom and independence,” he said.

The party leader also held a meeting with the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro. “The meeting was very cordial and very interesting, without any protocol, like brothers living in the same house. Fidel held my hands for several minutes and said he felt happy. We Vietnamese have great respect for Fidel and his people,” Phu Trong stated at the time.

(Granma)