Vietnam, Cuba enjoy special solidarity for decades

General Vo Nguyen Giap warmly shook hands with Cuban President Fidel Castro during his visit to Cuba in 1976. Source: Photobook "General and Commander-in-Chief Vo Nguyen Giap".

The Republic of Cuba became the first country in the Western hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam a total of 60 years ago, with the event occurring on December 2, 1960. Overcoming obstacles such as geographical distance and difficult circumstances, Cuba has consistently stood shoulder to shoulder and supported Vietnamese citizens as a sincere friend, a trusted comrade during difficult years of war, as well as during the process of national development.

President Ho Chi Minh once said, both countries are twins and represent two pioneering soldiers, one in the eastern hemisphere and one in the western hemisphere. Indeed, when Cuba sleeps, Vietnam stays up to watch for Cuba and vice versa.

Uniting for the cause of national independence

A statement which offers the best overview of the close bond between the two sides came from Chairman of the Cuban State Council Fidel Castro, "For Vietnam, we are willing to donate our blood." With there not being a single other head of state willing to commit to helping the country like Castro.

The early 1960s, when the United States expanded its war of aggression against the nation, also saw the US break off diplomatic relations and impose a trade embargo against Cuba. Despite this, the Caribbean nation still defied any blockade and faced danger by sending ships with torpedoes to Hai Phong port, exporting tens of thousands of tonnes of sugar to the nation, and providing relief supplies to the Vietnamese people.

Over the course of the war years, when Vietnamese citizens were hungry, lacked clothing, and even a spoonful of sugar for the sick and for children, Cuban aid represented a miracle, according to To Huu, a great Vietnamese revolutionary poet and politician.

During the country’s war of resistance against the US, the Caribbean nation always led the international movement to support the nation. In July, 1962, Cuba became the first country in the world to recognise the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, and assented to the Front's Resident Mission.

Seven years later, in March, 1969, Cuba appointed an ambassador, thereby becoming the only foreign representative to the Provisional Government of the Republic of South Vietnam. This marked a particularly important moment for a government which was just as young as Vietnam at that time.

Most notably, September, 1973, saw Castro become the first and only foreign head of state to visit the freshly-liberated region of Quang Tri.

Following the signing of the Paris Agreement in 1973, Cuba immediately embarked on helping the country to rebuild through the construction of major socio-economic development projects, just as President Ho Chi Minh always wished.

Some notable projects include, Dong Hoi Friendship Hospital, Thang Loi Hotel, Truong Son Street, Xuan Mai - Son Tay Street, and Moc Chau Cow Farm.

Fidel Castro was the first and only foreign head of state to visit the newly liberated Quang Tri (Photo: VNA)

At the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two sides on December 1 held in Hanoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh emphasised that the country always treasures, stands in solidarity, and remembers Cuba's good will during past struggles for national liberation. In any event, the Cuban side has consistently taken the lead in international movements to support the nation.

Solidarity for the cause of national construction

Following Vietnamese independence and reunification in 1975, thousands of local cadres and students went to Cuba to study. Many of these individuals later went on to become leaders of ministries, generals, and officers in the People's Army of Vietnam.

"Vietnam continues to share lessons learned from the Doi Moi (Renewal) process with high reference value with Cuba. Many Vietnamese cadres and soldiers have come to Cuba to share their experience in building all-people defensc to contribute firmly to defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Caribbean nation,” according to Deputy Minister of Defence Senior Lieutenant General Tran Don, member of the Party Central Committee, and standing member of the Central Military Commission.

When discussing mutual ties, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son stated, “It can be said that Vietnam and Cuba have all the elements to nurture a bilateral relationship which is believed to continue growing more steadily. While Vietnam is entering the stage of deeper global integration, with approval of a series of new-generation free trade agreements, Cuba, after a period of researching experience of Vietnam and other nations, is also focusing on updating economic development models.”

Vietnam and Cuba have maintained close-knit relations for decades (Photo: VGP)

In November, 2018, the nation was selected by Cuba as the first partner in Asia to jointly study, negotiate, and sign a new trade agreement. This saw the two sides also implement the medium-term bilateral economic agenda for the 2014 to 2019 period and prepare to sign a scheme for the 2020 to 2025 period.

Recent years has seen the country become Cuba's second largest trading partner in Asia and Oceania, whilst simultaneously supporting Cuban development in terms of important agricultural projects in rice, maize, coffee production, and food security.

Amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the two sides have exchanged experience and human resources for the purpose of epidemic prevention and control. Colonel Juan Miguel Garcia Montano, a Cuban Military Attaché, said, “Vietnam is one of the few countries in the world that is able to bring the pandemic under control. These are valuable experiences and lessons for Cuba and international friends to consult and study. I believe that Vietnam and Cuba will always stand side by side, continue to overcome all challenges, and strengthen the sound relationship of friendship and solidarity, in which the relationship between the two armies will contribute greatly to that field."

When asked about whether there are any specific difficulties or barriers to further developing the relationship between the two countries, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Tores Rivera firmly affirmed in a recent interview granted to VOV, that “No! There are no barriers at all! Indeed, we work very hard to find the best solutions to preserve, nurture and build the Vietnam-Cuba relationship - a special friendship that has lasted for decades. If we talk about obstacles, there is absolutely no."

Moving forward, the two sides are able to continue developing further co-operation in a number of fields such as agriculture, transportation, telecommunications, and especially biotechnology, the Cuban diplomat added.

After two revolutions for the cause of national liberation in each hemisphere, followed by a period of 60 years of development, both nations continue to maintain strong solidarity ties. As Ambassador Rivera once said, solidarity is the best "recipe" for solving difficult problems.

Over the past 60 years the brotherly relationship and comprehensive co-operation between the Party, State, people, and army of the two countries has been fostered and tested through many wars, therefore overcoming many ups and downs in history to become an invaluable asset. In addition to a great source of encouragement for each country's revolutionary cause and a role model in wider international relations.

Therefore, “Vietnam-Cuba! Solidarity will definitely win!” can definitely be viewed as a slogan for mutual ties, fueling the friendship of people from the two countries.