14th National Party Congress: 'In Cuba, we are filled with trust, expectation, and deep national pride'

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long at a press conference, informing Cuban media about the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, in Havana, January 8. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba)

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam officially opens today (January 19). How does the Ambassador feel about the atmosphere in recent days?

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam is taking place in a very special context, as our country has undergone nearly 40 years of renovation with significant achievements of historical importance, while facing new opportunities intertwined with challenges.

From within the country to abroad, including the overseas Vietnamese community and international friends, I can clearly feel the excitement, trust, and expectation for a successful Congress, which will continue to propose strategic decisions with a long-term vision for the rapid and sustainable development of the country in the new phase.

For Vietnamese representative missions abroad, the 14th National Party Congress is not only a significant political event for the country but also a great source of encouragement, instilling confidence and motivation for us to strive further in implementing an independent, self-reliant, multi-faceted, and diversified foreign policy, making practical contributions to the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

In Cuba, the atmosphere leading up to the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam is filled with trust, expectation, and great national pride.

In Havana, we can feel the special attention not only from the Vietnamese community but also from the entire political apparatus and the Cuban media. The press conference on January 8 at the Embassy is a testament to this, as our Cuban friends see Vietnam's success as a great encouragement for their own revolutionary cause. We enter the 14th National Party Congress with telling figures: GDP surpassing 510 billion USD, per capita income reaching 5,000 USD, and an international standing that has never been more solid. This is the foundation for the "optimistic and victorious atmosphere" that I am sensing.

First Secretary, President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, shaking hands with Ambassador Le Quang Long at an event. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba)

How does the Ambassador assess the role of Vietnamese representative missions abroad in achieving development goals of bringing the country "on par with the great powers of the five continents" as expected by President Ho Chi Minh?

Vietnamese representative missions abroad are the frontline forces in implementing the Party and State's foreign policy, serving as a direct bridge between Vietnam and the world. In the context of deep globalization and increasingly fierce strategic competition, this role becomes even more important.

We not only carry out traditional political-diplomatic tasks but also actively promote economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, scientific and technological diplomacy, and innovation, thereby leveraging external resources for national development.

In the era of national rise, representative missions are the vanguard of economic and cultural diplomacy. To "stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers," we need not only internal strength but also external support and resources. Representative missions play a key role in paving the way, connecting Vietnamese businesses with global value chains, and protecting national interests from afar.

Vietnam's emergence as a top 15 global trading power is a direct result of the harmonious coordination between domestic efforts and diplomatic "antennas" abroad. We are proving to the world that Vietnam is a reliable partner, a responsible member, and a potential economy for development.

In Cuba – a faithful and steadfast friend and brother of Vietnam – the Vietnamese Embassy always strives to deepen the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, while showcasing a renewed, dynamic, and deeply integrated Vietnam, ready to be a reliable and responsible partner of the international community. This is also a practical way to realize the aspiration to "stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents" that President Ho Chi Minh always desired.

Overview of the press information session. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba)

In the enthusiastic atmosphere of welcoming the 14th National Party Congress and during the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year 2025, what notable activities and impressions has the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba achieved, Ambassador?

In the vibrant competitive spirit towards the 14th National Party Congress, the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba has implemented many meaningful and practical activities both domestically and internationally.

We actively coordinated with Cuban agencies and organizations to organize information and communication activities about Vietnam's renovation achievements, foreign policy, and promoted political, organizational, and people-to-people exchanges, thereby continuing to strengthen the solid political-social foundation for the relationship between the two countries.

Additionally, the Embassy focused on promoting economic, trade, investment, agriculture, health, and education-training cooperation, while caring for the Vietnamese community in Cuba, fostering solidarity and a sense of home and country during the Party Congress.

We have concretized the competitive spirit with substantial results. Most notably, we have promoted trade and production investment projects in Cuba, where Vietnam asserts its position as Asia's number one investor with nine strategic projects. In agriculture, we have worked with our experts and businesses to help Cuba exceed all targets in the rice cooperation project, doubling rice productivity in project areas, contributing to Cuba's food self-sufficiency goals. Additionally, we are actively assisting Cuba in implementing cooperation projects in health, biotechnology, and renewable energy, contributing to ensuring energy security for Cuba. Moreover, the activities commemorating 65 years of diplomatic relations, especially the "65 Years of Friendship" program aiming to mobilize 65 billion VND to support Cuba, have created a profound humanitarian mark, further tightening the bond between the two peoples.

These activities, though modest, demonstrate the determination of the Embassy's staff and employees to contribute their small part to the overall success of the 14th National Party Congress.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba promotes and accompanies the rice cooperation project between the two countries. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba)

As one of the Heads of Representative Missions returning to Vietnam to attend the 14th National Party Congress during the Spring of the Horse 2026, could the Ambassador share his feelings?

Returning to the country to attend the 14th National Congress of the Party during the new Spring is a great honour and pride for me personally, as well as for the Heads of Vietnamese Representative Missions abroad.

This is not only an opportunity for us to directly listen to and grasp the Party's important decisions but also a chance to reflect on the country's development journey, strengthening our faith, responsibility, and determination to fulfill the tasks entrusted by the Party, State, and People.

Returning to our work locations after the Congress, we will carry with us the spirit, momentum, and major orientations of the 14th National Party Congress to concretize them into practical programs and action plans, contributing more effectively to the country's foreign affairs and development in the new phase.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

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