Wearing a white ao dai and with a radiant expression, Hastie Gonzalez Brizaida spoke movingly and fluently in Vietnamese. She could not hold back her tears as she talked about her journey of more than a decade of living, working and building a family in the land to which she had long devoted so much affection. Her family, relatives and representatives of the Embassy of Cuba in Viet Nam were by her side to share in her joy. Recalling that moment, she shared her feelings with a reporter from Viet Nam Times Magazine.

Hastie Gonzalez Brizaida (Cuba) receives Vietnamese citizenship.

"That was one of the most emotional moments of my life. I shed tears because, after more than 13 years of living, working and contributing in Viet Nam, I finally officially became a citizen of the country I have always loved.

For many people, it may be merely a legal decision, but to me, it is also recognition of an entire journey of attachment. Cuba is where I was born, while Viet Nam is my second homeland, where I have continued to build my life, raise my family and pursue my dreams.

That journey began when I was studying medicine in Cuba. There, I met my husband, a Vietnamese student who was also studying medicine. Love brought us to marriage, and together we built our family in Cuba.

In 2013, my children and I followed my husband back to Viet Nam. From a country that was still very unfamiliar to me, Viet Nam gradually became the place where my life took root. Here, my husband and I have both worked in the medical field, raised our four children and built our home in Ha Noi.

More than 13 years have passed, and my life has become increasingly connected to Viet Nam. To me, Viet Nam is no longer simply my husband's country or a place I chose to live in, but has become a part of my own life and future.

Viet Nam has given me not only a home, but also opportunities to develop my career, raise my children and mature in life.

Hastie Gonzalez Brizaida sharing her joy with her family and relatives.

As a doctor, before obtaining Vietnamese citizenship, I mainly supported my husband in his work and faced certain limitations when I wanted to pursue my own plans independently. Therefore, becoming a Vietnamese citizen is not only a legal milestone for me, but also marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life and career.

After obtaining citizenship, I obtained a citizen identity card, opened a bank account and became more proactive in many everyday matters. These changes may seem small, but they gave me a very clear feeling: I truly had a new legal status on the land to which I had chosen to remain committed for the long term.

I want to continue developing my work in the healthcare sector, contribute through my professional expertise and become a small bridge connecting my two homelands, Viet Nam and Cuba.

I do not think I will be able to accomplish anything particularly great, but I have always wanted to be a small bridge between Viet Nam and Cuba. Through my work in healthcare, I hope to spread positive values while introducing the cultures and people of both countries to more people. If each day I can do one good thing and contribute another small bridge to Viet Nam-Cuba friendship, that in itself will be a source of happiness for me.

Vietnamese people are very friendly, sincere and warm-hearted. Whenever people learn that I am Cuban, they often mention the friendship between the two countries with pride. That truly moves me, because I realize that the affection Viet Nam has for Cuba continues to live in the hearts of so many ordinary people.

Whenever I see Viet Nam supporting Cuba with money, food, medicines or sincere words of encouragement, I am deeply moved. It is not merely material assistance, but also an expression of the bond between two peoples that has been nurtured over generations. I will always be grateful to the Party, State and people of Viet Nam for this solidarity.

Therefore, if I were to write a letter entitled 'Dear Viet Nam,' the first thing I would want to say is 'Thank you.' Thank you, Viet Nam, for opening your arms and welcoming me as a child of this country. Thank you for giving me a second home, a place to love, contribute and pursue my dreams.

I will always carry two homelands in my heart: Cuba is where I was born, while Viet Nam is where I have been given a second home. I will always strive to live, work and contribute in a way that makes me worthy of the love both peoples have given me."

Memories of Fidel Castro - Great Friend of Vietnamese People

“Two Vietnamese Friends Devoted to Fostering Vietnam-Cuba Friendship”