Cuba - Vietnam: There is such a friendship
(Baonghean.vn) - There are things that change over time, but there are also values that exist forever and will be immortal. That is the friendship, brotherhood, and comradeship between Vietnam and Cuba!
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| A corner of the capital city of Havana, Cuba. Photo archive |
Leaving Dominicana, on Monday, May 27, our delegation arrived in the beautiful country of Cuba. Looking down from the plane, we gradually saw clearly the crocodile-shaped island standing proudly and proudly in the middle of the stormy and sunny Caribbean Sea. The first impression we had was the indomitable and unyielding appearance of Fidel's country, despite the storms and the waves of the sea. An existence full of challenges.
Since childhood, I have learned, heard, and read about the heroic and indomitable Cuba fighting against imperialism and against American intervention. When I grew up, I was fortunate to study with Cuban students. That was the closest opportunity to understand and feel the affection of the Cuban people for Vietnam, which is summarized in the famous saying of the revolutionary leader Fidel Castro: "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood."
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| Images of Cuban leader Fidel Castro during his three visits to Vietnam. Archive photo |
I still remember that time when we, the small Vietnamese students, went anywhere and did anything, we were always "unconditionally protected" by the big Cuban students in "clash" situations with students from other countries: on the soccer field, on the street, on the school yard and even in the dining halls at the school... Many nights we stayed up very late together to play dominoes, poker and fried cold rice to eat to stave off hunger. That kind of "herd" activity of Vietnamese and Cuban students was intertwined, as if they came from the same culture.
Life changes, the world changes, friend - foe, enemy - friend carry new connotations and nuances, different from the past. Vietnam has carried out comprehensive national renovation, from economic management and development mechanisms, social management to foreign relations, identifying friends, fighting and cooperating to stand firm and move forward in a complex and unpredictable world.
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| The Vietnamese delegation and representatives of Cuban leaders offered flowers, spoke, and took souvenir photos in front of the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Havana. Photo: NPND |
From the situation of a country that was almost isolated when there was no longer a socialist system on a global scale, especially after the international community was extremely unfair to Vietnam in its treatment regarding the elimination of the Pol Pot genocidal regime in Cambodia, we have a completely new position in the international arena: having diplomatic relations with 189 countries and territories, including strategic partnerships with 16 countries and comprehensive partnerships with 13 countries. Vietnam has an increasingly important role and makes active contributions to international and regional processes.
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| The Vietnamese delegation took a photo with leaders of the Cuban Ministry of Interior. Photo: NPND |
In the Western Hemisphere, our friend, comrade, and close brother Cuba remains steadfast in its ideals, remains infinitely loyal to the ideology of Jose Marti, the spirit of Che Guevara, and the courage of leader Fidel Castro. Our brother is still at the forefront of the independence, freedom, and anti-authoritarian movements of Latin American countries. And of course, it has to face countless difficulties created by the enemy, by the unreasonable and cruel embargo. In the middle of the capital city of Havana, we rarely see bustling, bustling commercial areas; instead, there are still images of people lining up to buy necessities.
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| Cuban students welcome the Vietnamese delegation. Photo: NPND |
You are not yet abundant in agricultural products, and still lack materials to build magnificent structures. But we absolutely do not see any signs of pessimism, but still the fiery eyes, full of confidence and pride of the people of the free island. There are still fiery Latin American dances, Guantanamera songs on the streets. They still work hard, still fight against difficulties for a brighter tomorrow. Occasionally we come across long lines of students carrying backpacks, green scarves, red scarves going to school with innocent, clear eyes. It seems that the children also feel absolute peace even though their material life is still modest.
| Some pictures of the life and activities of Cuban people in La Habana. |
When they knew that our group was from Vietnam, everyone immediately became excited. There were firm handshakes, long hugs and shouts of “Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh”, “Viva Vietnam, viva Ho Chi Minh”. In response, the Vietnamese group also shouted “Viva Cuba, viva Fidel”...
During the working sessions with Cuban leaders and ministries, we also witnessed the sincerity, frankness and comfort from our friends. “We do not need to be polite or diplomatic”, “we do not hide or keep any secrets from our Vietnamese comrades” - these were the words we heard many times. The warm greetings about acquaintances from both sides, the talks and exchanges on international issues, on policies and development paths of each country..., all in a family atmosphere.
That’s it. There are things that change over time, but there are also values that exist forever and will be immortal. That is the friendship, brotherhood, and comradeship between Vietnam and Cuba!
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| The Vietnamese delegation took a souvenir photo in front of the Jose Marti monument. Photo: NPND |
Dominican leaders find inspiration in Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh
(Baonghean.vn) - In friendly and open exchanges and contacts with members of the delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Dominican leaders all said that they "gain inspiration from Vietnam, from the Vietnamese revolution and President Ho Chi Minh, from the five-pointed yellow star on the Vietnamese flag".