Vietnam is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Comrade Fidel Castro.

Vietnam once again reaffirms its steadfast solidarity in the fight with the Communists and the brotherly people of Cuba.

On November 26, upon hearing the news that Comrade Fidel Castro Ruz, former First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (Cuba), former President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, Leader of the fraternal Cuban people, passed away on the night of November 25 - Havana time (La Habana time), or noon of November 26 - Hanoi time, at the age of 90, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the President, the Government and the Standing Committee of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam sent condolences to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Council of State, the Government and the National Assembly of the People's Power of the Republic of Cuba.

The full text of the telegram is as follows:

Dear:

- CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CUBA

- COUNCIL OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA

- NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PEOPLE'S GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA

HAVANA

Dear comrades,

We are deeply moved and saddened to learn that Comrade Fidel Castro Ruz, former First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, former President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, Leader of the fraternal Cuban people, staunch communist and revolutionary leader of the Latin American peoples and the movement for peace, national independence, freedom and socialism, passed away on November 25, 2016.

The pure life and immortal career of Comrade Fidel Castro will live forever in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Cuban people and the nations that are striving to build a just, civilized, democratic, prosperous and happy world. Comrade Fidel has worthily continued the noble career of the heroes Simon Bolivar, Jose Martí and the previous heroes of Cuba and Latin America, dedicating his whole life to the noble revolutionary cause, steadfastly fighting against colonialism and imperialism; leading and leading the Cuban people from Moncada to Sierra Maestra, smashing the imperialist puppet dictatorship, bringing the country and people of Cuba into an era of true independence and freedom since January 1, 1959; constantly raising the position of the revolution, as well as the dignity of the Cuban people in the international arena; bringing Cuba from poverty and backwardness to become an example for developing countries in education, health care, sports - culture, biotechnology and especially the spirit of international generosity towards other brotherly peoples in Latin America, as well as in Africa and Asia.

For more than half a century as the leader and leader of the Cuban Revolution, Comrade Fidel Castro was also a close comrade and brother of the leaders and people of Vietnam; always standing side by side with Vietnam during the difficult years of the struggle for independence and national reunification, as well as on the joyful day of victory and the cause of "building a more dignified and beautiful Vietnam" as President Ho Chi Minh always wished. In the hearts of the Vietnamese people, Comrade Fidel Castro's immortal words are always engraved: "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood".

With the passing of Comrade Fidel Castro, the Communist Party of Cuba, the State, the Government and the people of Cuba, as well as the people of Latin American countries and the world Communist and Revolutionary Movement, have lost a steadfast, courageous and experienced leader; the Communist Party, the State and the people of Vietnam have lost a very close and beloved comrade and brother in arms. We firmly believe that, in this moment of sorrow for the Communist Party and the fraternal people of Cuba, for all communists, revolutionaries and people who love peace, freedom, justice and social progress in the world, the heroic Cuban communists and people continue to unite under the leadership of the glorious Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba headed by Comrade Raúl Castro, will certainly successfully implement Comrade Fidel Castro's teachings, firmly defend independence and sovereignty and successfully build socialism in the free and beautiful country of Cuba.

In this moment of infinite sorrow, the Vietnamese communists and people once again reaffirm their steadfast solidarity in fighting with the Cuban communists and people.

Comrade Fidel Castro lives forever in the revolutionary cause of Cuba and of the brotherly peoples of the world.

Hanoi, November 26, 2016

- CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM

- PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

- GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

- STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM”

* On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh also sent a message of condolences to Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

* Comrade Fidel Castro Ruz was born on August 13, 1926 in the Biran region, former Oriente province, now Holguin province in Eastern Cuba. Comrade Fidel led the Revolution to victory, seizing power in Cuba on January 1, 1959.

From 1959 to 1976, he served as Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba; from 1965, when the Communist Party of Cuba was officially founded, to April 2011, he continuously served as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba; from 1976 to 2008, he was always elected to the National Assembly of the People's Power and was elected President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba.

On July 31, 2006, due to health reasons, Comrade Fidel handed over the leadership of the country to Comrade Raúl Castro, who was then Second Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, First Vice President of the Council of State and Government of the Republic of Cuba. In February 2008, Comrade Fidel announced that he would not run for the 7th Cuban National Assembly and for State leadership positions; he also resigned from the position of First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba at the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba held in April 2011.

For Vietnam, Comrade Fidel Castro and President Ho Chi Minh officially established and worked hard to cultivate the Vietnam - Cuba relationship since December 2, 1960; together with many generations of Leaders and people of the two countries, they have continuously consolidated, cultivated, developed and expanded the relationship of brotherly solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between the Parties, States and people of the two countries over the past half century.

Comrade Fidel Castro made three official visits to Vietnam in September 1973, December 1995 and February 2003; and was the first foreign Head of State to visit the newly liberated area in Quang Tri in September 1973. Comrade Fidel Castro was also the Head of State leading the international movement to support the just struggle of the Vietnamese people for national independence and reunification in the past, as well as in the cause of reconstruction, construction and protection of the socialist Vietnamese Fatherland later.

With such great merits and contributions, Comrade Fidel Castro was awarded the Gold Star Order by our Party and State in 1982 and the Ho Chi Minh Order in 1989./.

According to VOV