Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Association in Proud 75-Year Journey of Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations

	Cuba Accompanies Vietnam on the Path of Development
	Vietnam - Cuba: Strong Bond Over 65 Years

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao, Standing Vice President of the Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Association, speaks at the Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Gathering marking the 72nd anniversary of the attack on the Moncada Barracks, July 26, 2025. (Photo: Đinh Hòa)

Throughout its glorious 75 years (1950–2025), VUFO has built a system of friendship associations with peoples across the world, effectively acting as a heartfelt bridge between the Vietnamese people from all walks of life and friends on five continents. These efforts have brought countless noble sentiments, concrete acts of support, and strong gestures of solidarity with Viet Nam during the struggles for national liberation and the building of socialism; at the same time, they have contributed to nurturing and consolidating bonds of amity among nations in the modern era.

Entering the 1960s, the Vietnamese army and people confronted the war against US expeditionary forces. People in nations fighting for independence across Asia, Africa, and Latin America quickly launched vibrant and diverse movements of solidarity and friendship with Viet Nam.

On December 2, 1960, Cuba became the first country in the Western Hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam. In 1961, the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Viet Nam was established, demonstrating strong and timely support at a moment when our people were entering the most intense phase of the resistance war against the United States. From Havana’s Revolution Square to every factory and school, the spirit of “everything for Viet Nam” spread across the Caribbean island nation, leaving a profound impression on the people of both countries.

In Viet Nam, the birth of the National Front for the Liberation of South Viet Nam (December 20, 1960) and its affiliated mass organizations ushered in a dynamic and extensive period of people-to-people diplomacy. Alongside the activities carried out by women’s, youth, student, labor, farmer, writer, journalist, teacher, Buddhist, and Catholic organizations, specialized people-to-people bodies also emerged, such as: The Southern Viet Nam Committee for the Protection of World Peace, The Southern Viet Nam Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee, The Southern Viet Nam People’s Committee for Solidarity with Latin American Peoples, The Southern Viet Nam People’s Committee for Solidarity with the American People…

Amid this vibrant atmosphere of people-to-people diplomacy, the Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Association was established in 1965. The Association actively organized many initiatives and communication activities to inform the Cuban people about Viet Nam’s war against US imperialism, the liberation of the South, and the reunification of the country.

Through this channel, the voices of the Vietnamese people reached the populations of nearly 20 Spanish-speaking Latin American countries, peoples in Asia and Africa, and audiences worldwide thanks to Cuba’s highly effective radio, television, press, and publishing systems. On January 2, 1966, at a rally in José Martí Revolution Square in Havana marking the 7th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution (January 1, 1959 - January 1, 1966) and welcoming the Tricontinental Conference of Afro-Asian-Latin American Solidarity, leader Fidel Castro declared: “For Viet Nam, Cuba is ready to shed its own blood!” These immortal words express the fraternal affection and the spirit of sacrifice and solidarity of the Cuban people toward their Vietnamese comrades and brothers - a great friendship forever engraved in the space and time of human history.

Not only in spirit, but at its height, that solidarity was embodied in the historic visit of September 1973, when Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro travelled to Quang Tri. The image of a head of state who, undeterred by danger, came directly to the fiercest battleground to encourage our cadres, soldiers, and people during the long march for national liberation and reunification remains an indelible memory of the Cuban comrades and brothers in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.

After the Soviet Union and the socialist bloc in Eastern Europe collapsed, Cuba fell into a severe socio-economic crisis. In 1990, its economy contracted by 2.6%; by 1993, GDP had fallen by up to 35% compared to 1989. Its external debt stood at around USD 11 billion, excluding Russia’s 21.5 billion transferable ruble debt. In those circumstances, the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam extended sincere support to Cuba, driven by pure internationalist sentiment and a steadfast position in supporting Cuba’s struggle to end the blockade and economic embargo. Numerous movements were launched with widespread participation from all sectors of society, contributing 20,000 tonnes of rice, five million sets of notebooks and pens, 5,000 sets of clothing, and one day’s salary from public officials, among others. Between 2002 and 2005, Vietnam provided Cuba with over USD 50 million in aid, including four projects on rice production, three on aquaculture planning and development, and two on maize and legume cultivation.

The year 2025 is designated the “Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Year,” during which both sides have agreed to jointly organize practical activities to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (02/12/1960 - 02/12/2025), enhance information and communication on the significance and importance of the traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Cuba, and devote attention to nurturing and educating the younger generations of both countries so they may always cherish, preserve, and further develop this exemplary, faithful, and special relationship between the two nations. The Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Association has proactively advised leadership at various levels and actively participated in the major activities.

President Luong Cuong and his spouse, together with First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his spouse, viewed a photo exhibition marking 65 years of Viet Nam-Cuba diplomatic relations, September 1, 2025. (Photo: Đinh Hòa)

On the afternoon of September 1, 2025, at Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi, President Luong Cuong and his spouse, along with the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and his spouse, attended the solemn ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Cuba (02/12/1960 - 02/12/2025).

The event was organized by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, the Viet Nam News Agency, Ho Guom Opera House, and the Embassy of Cuba in Viet Nam. The President noted that as Viet Nam embarked on the renewal process and Cuba worked to overcome its special period and advance the updating of its economic model, the two countries continued to support each other, sharing grains of rice and sweet sugar. While Cuba has provided Viet Nam with valuable livestock breeds, crop varieties, and COVID-19 vaccines, Viet Nam has actively supported Cuba in developing rice production, aquaculture, and coffee cultivation. Both countries have also exchanged experiences and lessons in socio-economic development and national defence.

Recalling President Ho Chi Minh’s words that “Viet Nam and Cuba, though far apart, are as brothers of one family” and Fidel Castro’s affirmation that “Viet Nam-Cuba relations are a special, unprecedented relationship and a model for international relations,” President Luong Cuong emphasized that the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam always deeply cherish the solidarity and wholehearted support that Cuba has given to Viet Nam during the struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as in today’s cause of building and safeguarding the socialist Fatherland of Viet Nam. Viet Nam, steadfast as ever, accords special importance to its relations with Cuba, constantly strengthening, nurturing, and developing the two countries’ comprehensive cooperation for the benefit of both peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in each region and across the world.

Delegates press the button to launch the Campaign to Support the Cuban People under the theme “65 Years of Viet Nam-Cuba Affection,” August 13, 2025, in Hanoi. (Photo: Viet Nam Fatherland Front).

Viet Nam-Cuba relations have been described with many beautiful words, including the title of the Campaign to Support the Cuban People - “Viet Nam-Cuba: 65 Years of Affection”, organized by the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front from August 13, 2025, to October 16, 2025, with the goal of mobilizing resources to help the Cuban people overcome difficulties.

Just 30 hours after its launch, the Campaign received VND 65 billion, meeting the initial minimum target. After 48 hours, the figure doubled to VND 130 billion. After nearly three days, the Campaign recorded one million contributions, totaling VND 195 billion. After more than three weeks, over two million people had participated, with a total value of more than VND 400 billion, many times higher than the initial expectations. By the end of October 16, the conclusion of the Campaign, the figure reached VND 615 billion, 9.5 times the original target.

Behind these numbers are millions of touching stories about the hearts, affection, trust, and humanity of the Vietnamese people. Across the country, numerous creative and inspiring initiatives emerged, from football tournaments, charity art performances, and drawing competitions to collecting contributions through social media groups, along with small but heartfelt donations from elderly people, schoolchildren, students, and workers. All were imbued with a message: “Viet Nam-Cuba: Forever shoulder to shoulder through challenges, sharing hardship, together moving toward a bright future,” continuing and deepening the Vietnamese tradition of “When drinking water, remember its source.”

On September 1, 2025, at the Headquarters of the Party Central Committee, in the presence of Party General Secretary To Lam and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien, on behalf of the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam, presented nearly VND 385 billion (first tranche) to the Cuban representatives - a sacred moment affirming the enduring strength of the faithful friendship between the two nations. Notably, the “65 Years of Viet Nam-Cuba Affection” Campaign was highlighted in the Viet Nam-Cuba Joint Statement as a vivid testament to international solidarity, underscoring the stature, significance, and profound humanitarian value of the Campaign, as well as Viet Nam’s role and prestige in global humanitarian diplomacy.

The impact of the program not only spread across Viet Nam but also resonated around the world. Thousands of news articles and reports in Vietnamese media, tens of millions of social-media interactions, and, notably, extensive coverage across Cuban media, from Granma, Prensa Latina, and Cubadebate to Cuban National Television, demonstrated its wide-reaching influence. The New York Times even described it as “one of Viet Nam’s most moving international humanitarian campaigns.”

In an interview with the Voice of Viet Nam, the Cuban Ambassador emotionally shared: “What impressed us was not only that the fundraising reached its target within hours, but even more, the immense spiritual support. This will stand as a model for relations between Viet Nam and Cuba, and for relations among nations. Fidel once said that Cuba was willing to shed its blood for Viet Nam, but in reality, it was Viet Nam that shed blood for the Cuban people and the global progressive movement. Nothing can measure Viet Nam’s contributions to humanity’s struggles.”

Within the framework of the Program, the Viet Nam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, the Viet Nam Musicians’ Association, and Van hoc - Nghe thuat (Literature and Arts Review) jointly launched the songwriting campaign “Viet Nam–Cuba: Forever Resounding Songs of Solidarity and Friendship.” More than 140 compositions were submitted from across the country, vividly portraying the faithful and steadfast friendship, confidence in a bright future, and the heroic peoples’ aspirations for peace and freedom, forming a beautiful symphony of the loyal Viet Nam-Cuba friendship.

The Organizing Committee awarded one First Prize, two Second Prizes, three Third Prizes, ten Consolation Prizes, along with four Dedication Awards and two Companion Awards to participating composers. Sixty-five outstanding songs were selected and compiled into Viet Nam-Cuba: Forever Resounding Songs of Solidarity and Friendship. The collection was formally presented by musician Do Hong Quan, President of the Viet Nam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, to Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Viet Nam, as a beautiful symbol of the steadfast brotherhood between the two nations.

The Campaign to Support the Cuban People concluded with a profound affirmation of the humanistic spirit of Viet Nam-Cuba relations. Yet its echoes, strength, and values of loyalty and purity endure, vividly reflected in the artistic performance celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Cuba, held at the Hanoi Opera House on October 24, 2025.

From the remarkable humanitarian diplomatic activities organized during the 2025 Year of Friendship, the peoples of Viet Nam and Cuba have gained another valuable legacy on their shared path toward a prosperous, strong, and happy future. At the same time, this stands as a meaningful contribution by the Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Association to strengthening and advancing Viet Nam’s people-to-people diplomacy on the eve of a new era of growth.

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