65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Relations: Steadfast Friendship and a Shared Heartbeat
	Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations - ICAP Pioneer to Deepen Vietnam-Cuba Bonds

- Looking back on 65 years of Viet Nam-Cuba diplomatic relations, in your view, what are the core factors that have kept this special bond so enduring, loyal, and steadfast through the test of time?

Cuban Ambassador to Viet Nam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes speaks at the closing ceremony of the Campaign in support of the Cuban people, October 18, 2025. (Photo: Quang Vinh)

Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes: Cuba and Viet Nam have a special and rare relationship - one between two nations distant in geography and different in culture, yet profoundly close in their shared history of struggles for independence and freedom. Our people share a spirit of resilience against colonialism, a deep sense of justice, and noble patriotic values - qualities that Cuban national hero José Martí praised as early as the late 19th century.

Throughout the past 65 years, the two countries have maintained a relationship of loyalty and purity, built upon mutual trust, firm will, and readiness to share hardships and overcome every challenge together.

When Leader Fidel Castro Ruz declared before tens of thousands of people in Havana in January 1966 that “For Viet Nam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood,” it was not merely a slogan; it was a statement of faith and action. Only a few months later, there were Cuban soldiers who fell in Hanoi during American bombing raids.

During the Vietnamese people’s resistance war against foreign invasion, under the leadership of the Party and Government of Cuba, the Cuban people launched one of the strongest solidarity movements in history in defense of Viet Nam’s just cause. Fidel himself was the only world leader to visit the liberated zone in South Viet Nam - a memory that remains indelible in the hearts of both nations.

Over the decades, generations of Cubans and Vietnamese have continued to nurture this bond through programs of exchange, study, and cooperation. Thousands of Vietnamese students have been educated in Cuba, while thousands of Cuban experts and workers have brought their knowledge, labor, and pure internationalist spirit to help build projects of economic and social significance in Viet Nam.

Countless selfless and noble actions have become immortal symbols of fraternal solidarity. Viet Nam, with its tradition of “When drinking water, think of its source,” has always regarded its solidarity with Cuba as a command of the heart - standing firmly alongside Cuba in the struggle against blockade and sanctions, and offering us invaluable support both materially and spiritually during the most challenging times.

Cuban Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes at an information-sharing session on Cuba, organized by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations in coordination with the Cuban Embassy in Viet Nam, March 26, 2025. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

- The campaign to support the Cuban people on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations has had a widespread impact across Viet Nam. How do you feel about this initiative?

Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes: It is truly moving to witness the tremendous solidarity of the Vietnamese people in the campaign supporting the Cuban people, launched by the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Red Cross, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, and the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations.

This initiative has become one of the most far-reaching and impactful campaigns, exceeding its original objectives. In particular, the heartfelt messages from Vietnamese organizations, collectives, and individuals have served as a great source of encouragement for us.

Amidst the tightening US blockade and sanctions, which have caused significant economic and social difficulties in Cuba, this expression of solidarity strengthens our confidence in overcoming adversity. Its meaning is even greater because this support comes from the heroic Vietnamese people - a nation that has triumphed over the greatest challenges in history and stands as a brotherly and comradely country in shared struggle.

- In your view, what are the priority areas for cooperation in the coming period to meet the practical interests of both sides?

Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes: In recent years, Cuba-Viet Nam cooperation has expanded across many fields. The two countries maintain regular exchanges between the Party, Parliament, Government, armed forces, social and mass organizations, businesses, and local authorities. Numerous bilateral cooperation mechanisms have been established, enabling both sides to leverage their strengths and meet each other’s needs, bringing mutual benefits.

The two nations have developed relations in economics, trade, investment, and cooperation in areas such as agriculture, food production, aquaculture, education and human resource training, healthcare, biotechnology, energy, construction, consumer goods production and distribution, and science and technology.

Both countries continue to identify new potential areas for cooperation aligned with the current socio-economic development of each country. In the future, the focus is expected to be on agriculture and food, biopharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.

For many years, Cuba has received valuable technical support from Viet Nam in rice, corn, coffee production, and aquaculture, helping Cuba effectively leverage these capacities into mutually beneficial investment projects. A notable example is the rice production project in Los Palacios, Pinar del Río Province, which has achieved promising results and is expected to make a significant contribution to Cuba’s food security and sovereignty.

In addition, the establishment of a joint venture and the opening of a biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant in the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park (Hanoi) has opened a new horizon for cooperation in the research, development, and commercialization of products in the biopharmaceutical industry - an area in which Cuba has achieved numerous world-recognized accomplishments. This initiative will make an important contribution to the health of the people of both countries while promoting Viet Nam’s technological sovereignty in this strategic sector.

Regarding energy, Cuba currently faces difficulties in production and supply, whereas Viet Nam has made significant progress in its transition toward a green economy. Both sides have identified renewable energy as a strategic area of cooperation, with several specific projects already underway.

Cuban Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes visits the “17th Parallel - Aspiration for Reunification” Exhibition in Quang Tri Province, March 2025. (Photo: Cuban Embassy in Viet Nam)

- What expectations do you have for the younger generations of both countries, who will continue to nurture and preserve the special Viet Nam-Cuba friendship in the future?

Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes: Many generations of leaders and people of both countries have worked together to safeguard the precious legacy of special friendship, traditional solidarity, and exemplary cooperation between Cuba and Viet Nam.

Cuban and Vietnamese youth, adolescents, and children have embraced this history as a part of themselves, through patriotic education guided by the Communist Parties of both nations.

People-to-people exchanges, promotion of history, culture, and traditions continue to be maintained and increasingly strengthened. It is deeply moving to witness Vietnamese children participating in campaigns supporting the Cuban people through small contributions, drawings, songs, and heartfelt messages to Cuban children. Recently, a Cuban children’s delegation had the opportunity to visit Viet Nam and experience this profound sentiment firsthand.

In Cuba, many schools, labor collectives, and public works bear the names of heroes, martyrs, or historical events associated with Ho Chi Minh’s country. I am confident that this sacred bond will forever remain in the hearts of the peoples of both nations.

- How do you assess the role of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) in promoting Viet Nam-Cuba relations?

Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes: VUFO has played a crucial role in Viet Nam’s relations with people around the world. Through its dynamic and effective activities, VUFO embodies the living image of a heroic nation that loves peace, has overcome and triumphed over formidable enemies, and has risen to rebuild its country, becoming an inspiration to humanity.

In its relations with Cuba, VUFO maintains broad, regular, and effective solidarity activities, contributing to the promotion of Cuban culture and traditions while supporting numerous practical initiatives to support Cuba in its struggle against blockade and sanctions.

The exemplary cooperation between VUFO and the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), which also celebrates its 65th anniversary this year, is a clear testament to VUFO’s outstanding contribution to nurturing and preserving fraternal solidarity between the two peoples.

As a member organization of VUFO, the Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Association has woven a beautiful tapestry of love and solidarity, deeply touching the hearts of those fortunate enough to witness and participate in its initiatives, spreading widely across all social classes and throughout Viet Nam.

On the occasion of VUFO’s 75th anniversary, I extend my deepest gratitude and heartfelt respect to its leadership, staff, and member organizations for their steadfast loyalty to this sacred historical relationship that unites the peoples of our two countries.

- Thank you very much!

65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Relations: Steadfast Friendship and a Shared Heartbeat On September 1 in Hanoi, a solemn ceremony was held to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba, ...

Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations - ICAP Pioneer to Deepen Vietnam-Cuba Bonds President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son received Víctor Fidel Gaute López, Vice President of the Cuban Institute of ...