The deep love named Vietnam-Cuba

During his visit to Vietnam (from September 24-28), President of the Cuban National Assembly Esteban Lazo Hernandez returned to the heroic land of Quang Tri, where exactly 50 years ago, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro visited the liberated zone of South Vietnam, to see a steadfast and everlasting brotherly love between Vietnam and Cuba.

Five decades have passed, but President Fidel Castro's immortal words "For Vietnam, we are willing to give our blood" still live on in every generation of Vietnamese people, the lines of poetry in To Huu's "From Cuba" still stir people's hearts...

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives President of the Cuban National Assembly Esteban Lazo Hernandez. (Source: VNA)

During the afternoon reception on September 27, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized that this visit to Vietnam by National Assembly Chairman Esteban Lazo Hernandez (from September 24-28) has special significance, once again affirming the historical significance and great encouragement of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro's visit to Vietnam, to the liberated zone of South Vietnam (September 1973-September 2023) with the immortal saying "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood".

Retrace the steps of history

The sunny and windy land of Quang Tri today still has roads, bridges, and islands that remind us of the friendly and loyal relationship between Vietnam and Cuba. On that land, 50 years ago, the son of the Cuban revolution was the “main character” in a memorable “feat” that most politicians in the world could not imagine: talking with the 304th Division (Glory Group) right at Hill 241, which used to be the empire’s impregnable Cam Lo military base.

History remains intact on the journey that Fidel made. That journey came back to life when National Assembly Chairman Esteban Lazo Hernandez and a high-ranking Cuban delegation visited Hien Luong Bridge, the Hien Luong - Ben Hai National Special Relic Museum, the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam headquarters relic site in Cam Loc district... and especially at the warm and solemn 50th anniversary celebration of Fidel Castro's visit to Vietnam and the liberated areas of the South.

Although this is the fourth visit to Vietnam, for National Assembly Chairman Esteban Lazo Hernandez it is certainly more special than the others. One can clearly feel the emotion when the National Assembly Chairman and the high-ranking delegation revisited the places where Leader Fidel had been with Comrade Pham Van Dong despite the efforts of the Vietnamese leaders to persuade Leader Fidel because of the risks he might encounter. Leader Fidel hugged the heroic soldiers, fighting with blood and fire, who were always certain of victory, and here, he reiterated to them the most steadfast support, admiration and affection of the Cuban people.

“When it comes to the exemplary brotherly relationship between Cuba and Vietnam, one image makes it immortal: Fidel joyfully raising the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam at Hill 241, just a few kilometers from the enemy,” National Assembly President Esteban Lazo Hernandez shared about the heroic moment that went down in history of Vietnam-Cuba relations...

The Cuban leader visited many places in the liberated area of ​​Quang Tri province when this land was still smelling of gunpowder and full of bombs. Many places that leader Fidel Castro visited were only more than 10 km from the southern bank of the Thach Han River, a place that at that time the enemy was temporarily occupying and always aiming their cannons towards the north of the Thach Han River. Yet, when returning from that dangerous place, the son of the Cuban Revolution exclaimed: "Thank you Vietnam, thank you a thousand times!"

President Vo Van Thuong receives President of the Cuban National Assembly Esteban Lazo Hernandez. (Photo: Anh Son)

Both countries will certainly never forget that historic visit. As Politburo member and Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat Truong Thi Mai concluded at the Commemoration Ceremony, the visit of President Fidel and the Cuban delegation 50 years ago left a deep mark in the history of relations between the two countries, surpassing diplomatic conventions, and was a great encouragement for the just struggle of the people of South Vietnam in the new period; demonstrated absolute faith in victory and was a strong source of encouragement for the Vietnamese Revolution, and was a symbol of revolutionary socialism and the pure and noble international solidarity of Cuba and Vietnam.

Vietnam is ready, Vietnam accompanies

Over the past 60 years, despite being half a world apart, morning on this side, evening on the other, the hearts of Vietnam and Cuba still beat in the same orbit, always looking towards each other with loyalty and sincerity, together overcoming difficulties, firmly believing in the light of the future. As National Assembly Chairman Esteban Lazo Hernandez commented during this visit: "The brotherly atmosphere created from the beginning of our relationship has determined the immortal nature of our friendship."

During the discussions, the Vietnamese high-ranking leaders expressed their gratitude for the development and achievements of Vietnam in recent times, and for the wholehearted support and assistance from Cuba. Vietnam has consistently supported Cuba's cause of national construction and development.

If 50 years ago, on the S-shaped strip of land, there were men struggling to carry ammunition, women carrying rice on their shoulders, old people picking seeds in the forest to feed the soldiers, children cutting bamboo shoots for the collective meal in a school without walls or chairs... (images mentioned by Leader Fidel during his visit to Vietnam), then 50 years later, as National Assembly Chairman Esteban Lazo Hernandez felt, Vietnam has "changed its skin", realizing President Ho Chi Minh's dream of a "more decent, more beautiful" Vietnam.

Perhaps that is why sharing and supporting Cuba to overcome difficulties and challenges caused by embargoes, natural disasters and the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic has always been a concern of Vietnam. The Party, State and people of Vietnam always strive to turn to Cuba in any circumstances. "Vietnam always makes every effort to support and cooperate with Cuba", President Vo Van Thuong emphasized at the reception of the guest from the "island of fire, island of intoxication".

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received Cuban National Assembly Chairman Esteban Lazo Hernandez. (Source: VNA)

Vietnam is ready to accompany and share experiences and lessons learned from the country's renovation process; help Cuba stabilize food security and support production. Vietnamese enterprises are now also paying attention to investing in Cuba in many fields.

The trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba has achieved many successes. Specifically, in terms of trade cooperation, Vietnam is currently Cuba's second largest Asian trade partner. In terms of investment cooperation, Vietnam is currently the largest foreign investor in Asia in Cuba with five projects implemented. To create momentum for cooperation in this field, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue suggested that Cuba complete the legal framework and corridors to create favorable conditions and have preferential and flexible mechanisms for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Cuba.

Love, before and after

For Vietnam, maintaining and nurturing loyal relationships not only demonstrates the morality of "remembering the source of water when drinking" but also sentiment and responsibility.

Vietnam always attaches importance to its relations with Cuba, traditional friends, and progressive forces in the world, and consistently implements its foreign policy. A Vietnam that has always been there, always touches the hearts of friends all over the world. In many international forums, Vietnam has always called for an end to the embargo on Cuba. Following President Ho Chi Minh's testament, generations of Vietnamese leaders and people have always affirmed: "Solidarity and support for Cuba are the conscience and responsibility of communists and all Vietnamese people!"

Delegates attend the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated zone of southern Vietnam in Quang Tri in Dong Ha city, Quang Tri province on September 26. (Source: VNA)

The 50th anniversary of President Fidel's historic visit and the current visit to Vietnam by National Assembly President Esteban Lazo Hernandez are once again an opportunity to affirm the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba; a relationship that transcends conventional limits, has been tempered and tested through historical ups and downs and the most difficult times of each country to last through the years. Future generations of Vietnam and Cuba will certainly remember and continue this priceless special solidarity. Vietnam-Cuba: full of meaning, full of love, solidarity will definitely win!

“In the midst of storms, our hearts remain steadfast/ This love we built will never fade…” - The heartfelt lyrics of the song Cau ho ben bo Hien Luong, inspired by the stories of lives on the “fire line” of Vinh Linh – where leader Fidel once stopped, kept ringing in my head as I wrote these concluding lines! An eternal loyal love between Vietnam and Cuba!

During his visit to Vietnam from September 24-28, President of the Cuban National Assembly Esteban Lazo Hernandez greeted General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, met with President Vo Van Thuong; held talks with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue; and attended the 50th anniversary of Fidel's visit to Vietnam and the Southern liberated zone in Quang Tri...

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/moi-tinh-sau-nang-mang-ten-viet-nam-cuba-243969.html