‘Mami Melba’ lives on in the memories of many generations of Vietnamese-Cuban friends
WVR - On the morning of July 24, in Hanoi, the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam solemnly held a memorial ceremony for Cuban revolutionary hero Melba Hernández, while also inaugurating a photo exhibition and introducing the book Melba and Vietnam: A Symbol of Solidarity.
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| The bilingual publication "Melba and Vietnam: A Symbol of Solidarity" recreates the journey of Cuban heroine Melba Hernández's connection with Vietnam, while honoring the legacy of solidarity between the two nations. (Photo: Trung Anh) |
The event took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the birth of the Cuban hero, serving as a moment to reflect on the dedicated life of a great friend of Vietnam, as well as the steadfast relationship between the peoples of the two countries.
Attending the event from the Cuban side were Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes and Mr. Manuel Enrique Montané, the grandson of hero Melba Hernández.
On the Vietnamese side, there were Phan Anh Son, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO); Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao, Vice President of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association; former Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Vu Chi Cong; former Director of the Americas Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Xuan Phong; Ms. Phuong Song Lien, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Alumni Club in Cuba; along with Captain Nguyen Nam Lien, son of journalist and diplomat Ly Van Sau, a close friend of Cuba; and many Vietnamese who have lived, studied, and worked in the beloved country of Cuba.
The presence of many generations of friends connected to Cuba contributed to a close, meaningful atmosphere, reflecting the depth of the Vietnam-Cuba friendship cultivated over decades.
A life dedicated to Vietnam-Cuba solidarity
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| President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son speaks at the event. (Photo: Trung Anh) |
Speaking at the event, VUFO President Phan Anh Son emphasized that for the Vietnamese people, Melba Hernández is an exceptionally special friend, a vibrant symbol of the enduring solidarity between the two nations.
According to him, if President Ho Chi Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro are seen as two great symbols of Vietnam-Cuba relations, then Cuban hero Melba Hernández is the "glue" that binds the affection between the peoples of the two countries.
The VUFO representative also emotionally recalled the image of "Mami Melba"—an affectionate term used by many generations of Vietnamese students in Cuba for her, as a testament to the love, closeness, and deep affection that Melba Hernández always had for Vietnam.
On this occasion, Phan Anh Son expressed that organizing the memorial is both a tribute to the life and career of Melba Hernández and an opportunity for the two nations to reaffirm the strong solidarity that has been nurtured over many generations.
He also shared that on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the Cuban hero's birth, VUFO, the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association, and many units launched a fundraising program to support the Cuban people. By mid-June 2026, the program had raised over 1.2 billion VND, equivalent to about 46,000 USD.
According to the VUFO President, although the gift is not large in material terms, it is filled with sincere affection, reflecting the Vietnamese people's sharing in the face of the difficulties that the Cuban people are experiencing, while continuing the tradition of close, enduring ties between the two countries.
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| Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes shares about the legacy of solidarity that hero Melba Hernández left in Vietnam-Cuba relations. (Photo: Trung Anh) |
For his part, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes shared that for those who had the opportunity to meet and work with hero Melba Hernández, commemorating her 105th birthday in Hanoi brings many special emotions.
According to the Ambassador, Vietnam has always been a "second homeland" in the heart of the Cuban hero, as it was where she served as the Cuban Ambassador from 1977 to 1980, dedicating much effort to fostering the friendship between the two peoples.
The diplomat recalled the image of Cuban hero Melba Hernández not only as one of the two female fighters in the 1953 Moncada Barracks attack but also as the first President of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with Southern Vietnam, the precursor to the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Fuentes introduced the bilingual publication A Symbol of Solidarity: Melba and Vietnam, excerpted from the book Melba - A Woman for All Times, with the hope that the book will help many readers understand more about her life, ideals, and the deep affection she had for Vietnam.
The Ambassador particularly reminded the audience of Melba Hernández's famous saying: “Perhaps I am a Vietnamese born in Cuba,” considering it the most concise symbol of the bond between the two nations.
In addition to commemorating the Cuban revolutionary hero, Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes also expressed deep gratitude for the affection that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam have always shown to Cuba.
According to the Cuban representative, in times of difficulty, the sharing from Vietnamese friends always holds special meaning, as it is a source of practical and great spiritual encouragement for the Cuban people.
Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes also emphasized that the donation initiated by VUFO and other friendship organizations is a vivid testament to the enduring affection between the two countries.
On this occasion, the Ambassador affirmed that Cuba always cherishes these gestures and believes that the spirit of solidarity and connection that Melba Hernández worked hard to cultivate will continue to be preserved by today's generations, becoming the foundation for the increasingly strong Vietnam-Cuba friendship.
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| Mr. Manuel Enrique Montané, grandson of Cuban revolutionary hero Melba Hernández, attends the ceremony commemorating her 105th birthday in Hanoi. (Photo: Trung Anh) |
Also at the event, Mr. Manuel Enrique Montané, grandson of hero Melba Hernández, presented the Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam with a copy of a handwritten letter of special historical value from Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro to Melba before she departed for Vietnam to assume the role of Cuban Ambassador in 1977.
This is considered one of the rare documents reflecting the absolute trust of the Cuban revolutionary leader in hero Melba Hernández, while affirming her special position in the friendship between Cuba and Vietnam.
In the letter dated February 10, 1977, leader Fidel Castro expressed regret for not being able to meet Melba before her departure, emphasizing that her presence in Vietnam during the country's post-war reconstruction was of special significance.
The Cuban leader affirmed that hero Melba Hernández was the most suitable person to continue fostering cooperation between the two nations, as she had not only accompanied the Vietnamese people during their most difficult years but also earned deep respect from Vietnamese leaders.
At the end of the letter, leader Fidel Castro expressed his wish for Melba to regularly share her work results, contributing to deepening the brotherly relationship between Cuba and Vietnam, before closing with a heartfelt farewell: "I send you my warmest regards and a warm embrace. Affectionately, Fidel."
Unfading memories of "Mami Melba"
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| Captain Nguyen Nam Lien, son of journalist and diplomat Ly Van Sau, shares emotional memories of Mami Melba and the affection that the Cuban people have for Vietnam. (Photo: Trung Anh) |
Sharing at the ceremony, Captain Nguyen Nam Lien, son of journalist and diplomat Ly Van Sau, emotionally recalled childhood memories associated with the Caribbean country.
He shared that he went to Cuba when he was just 2 years old, growing up in the loving embrace of Cuban friends, even learning to speak Spanish at the nursery before mastering Vietnamese. Although time has made him forget that first language, the affection that the Cuban people have for his family in particular and the Vietnamese people in general remains intact in his memory.
Captain Nguyen Nam Lien emotionally remembered his father's last words before passing: "You must always be grateful to Cuba," because during the years when Vietnam was still engulfed in the flames of war, Cuba extended a welcoming embrace to Vietnamese families as if they were their own kin.
Speaking of hero Melba Hernández, Nguyen Nam Lien could not hide his emotions when recounting the memory before his family returned to Vietnam. It was Melba who, on behalf of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, presented his siblings with special gifts, including a Cuban soldier's uniform and backpack tailored to each person's measurements. The uniform for him even bore the epaulets of leader Fidel Castro.
For him, it was a priceless gift carrying the message from the Cuban leader to the children of Southern Vietnam growing up amidst war, urging them to carry the spirit of the Cuban Revolution to continue fighting until the country was unified.
He also recalled his sister pointing to a map, affirming that the family would return to Saigon after victory, a reality that came true a decade later.
As a captain for Vietnam Airlines, Nguyen Nam Lien has had many opportunities to return to Cuba in peacetime. However, the memory that stands out most is the September 2021 flight that brought high-level leaders on an official visit to Cuba amidst the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. On the return flight, he was honored to bring back the first batches of Abdala vaccine that Cuba gifted to Vietnam.
According to him, if during the war, Cuba was ready to share even blood for Vietnam, then in peacetime, when Cuba faces many difficulties, the Vietnamese people also wish to accompany and share with all their capabilities.
Concluding his speech, he emotionally affirmed that the bond between the two nations is something that cannot be measured by time or distance, because "Cuba stood by Vietnam during the war, and Vietnam today will always stand by Cuba in difficult times."
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| Former Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Vu Chi Cong recounts profound memories of hero Melba Hernández during his years of service in Havana. (Photo: Trung Anh) |
Also within the event's framework, former Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Vu Chi Cong shared profound memories of his time in Havana from 1965 when he was Deputy Head of the delegation representing the National Liberation Front of Southern Vietnam.
According to the former Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba, during those years, the Vietnamese delegation frequently met with Melba Hernández, from working sessions at the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with Southern Vietnam, international conferences to friendly gatherings at her home.
This closeness allowed him to clearly feel the special affection that the Cuban hero had for Vietnam, not through flowery words but through dedication in every action.
He still remembers the last time he met her when the Cuban hero accompanied Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro on a visit to Quang Tri, and then met her again when the Vietnamese delegation attended the funeral of leader Fidel Castro in Cuba. For him, those are indelible memories of a great friend who dedicated her life to Vietnam.
From his experiences, Ambassador Vu Chi Cong affirmed that hero Melba Hernández contributed to turning Vietnam-Cuba solidarity into a widespread movement throughout Cuban society.
According to the diplomat, leader Fidel Castro's decision to appoint her as President of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with Southern Vietnam, later the Committee for Solidarity with Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, demonstrated absolute trust in her and the importance Cuba placed on Vietnam.
Under Melba Hernández's leadership, the Committee brought together most political and social organizations and many ministries of Cuba, becoming the focal point for spreading the spirit of solidarity with Vietnam across the country.
For many generations of Vietnamese officials and students who lived in Cuba, she was not merely a leader or an international friend, but truly "Mami Melba"—a mother who always extended her protective arms, giving Vietnam sincere love as she would to her own children.
Therefore, according to Ambassador Vu Chi Cong, the image of Cuban revolutionary hero Melba Hernández will forever be a beautiful symbol of the faithful friendship between the two nations, nurtured by both revolutionary ideals and very ordinary emotions.
On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of Cuban revolutionary hero Melba Hernández's birth, the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam introduced to readers the bilingual publication A Symbol of Solidarity: Melba and Vietnam, excerpted from the book Melba, A Woman for All Times by authors Margarita Ilisástigui Avilés and Gladys Rosa Álvarez Porro, published by Verde Olivo Publishing House (Cuba). The publication focuses on depicting the life, career, and outstanding contributions of Melba Hernández to the Cuban Revolution, while dedicating significant space to reflect the special affection she had for Vietnam and the marks she left in fostering the friendship between the two nations. With the bilingual Spanish-Vietnamese format, the book helps bring historical documents and stories about Melba Hernández closer to readers in both countries, while continuing to spread the values of international solidarity that she embodied. |
Other images from the event:
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