The bridges connecting the two revolutionary presses of Vietnam and Cuba
WVR - On the morning of June 6, the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam, in collaboration with the Academy of Journalism and Communication, hosted a gathering of experts and journalists who once studied in Cuba.
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The event was held in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (1925-2025) and the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations (1960-2025). It served as a tribute to the longstanding solidarity and cooperation between journalists of the two nations over the decades. The gathering also offered a heartfelt reunion for Vietnamese journalists who had studied in the beautiful Caribbean nation, providing an opportunity to reminisce about their passionate youth and shared experiences in Cuba.
Among the distinguished attendees were Mr. Le Quoc Minh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation, President of the Vietnam Journalists' Association, and Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper; Ms. Vu Thanh Mai, Deputy Head of the Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Commission; Mr. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, Ambassador of Cuba to Vietnam; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Minh Son, Director of the Academy of Journalism and Communication; and Ms. Vu Viet Trang, General Director of the Vietnam News Agency...
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| Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes affirmed that Cuba devoted its entire press system to supporting and promoting Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation. (Photo: Diep Thao) |
Speaking at the event, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes emphasized that during Vietnam’s heroic struggle for independence, liberation, and socialist construction, a generation of talented journalists devoted their intellect and courage to disseminating revolutionary ideals, promoting national values, and mobilizing the people in defense of their noble patriotic aspirations.
According to Ambassador Fuentes, the Cuban Revolution is immensely proud to have stood in solidarity with the just cause of the Vietnamese people from the very beginning. Notably, during the international solidarity movement launched by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz to denounce the war and support Vietnam’s resistance, journalism, communications, and propaganda played a crucial role.
He stressed that Cuba dedicated its entire media system to supporting the Vietnamese people's struggle for liberation, aiming to spread the truth and raise global awareness of the atrocities committed by imperialist forces.
“We are deeply honored that several pioneering Vietnamese revolutionary journalists studied in Cuba and many of their successors are present with us today at this meaningful gathering,” the Ambassador noted.
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| An overview of the meeting. (Photo: Diệp Thảo) |
Ambassador Fuentes affirmed that thanks to the deep and heartfelt cooperation between journalists of both countries, the Cuban people stood in daily solidarity with every victory of the Vietnamese nation. Each downed American aircraft and every liberated region brought immense joy and pride to Cuban workers, farmers, and students.
Referring to the reportage “Embassy in the Deep Jungle and Before the 17th Parallel” by Mr. Raúl Valdés Vivó - a journalist, war correspondent, and former Cuban Ambassador to the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, and later to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the Ambassador recalled the famous quote: “Cuba is a miniature Vietnam in the heart of the sea.”
“From that miniature Vietnam in the heart of the sea, bound by our shared heroic spirit, we extend to you our warm embrace and unwavering belief that the militant solidarity between the revolutionary press of Vietnam and Cuba will endure forever,” the Ambassador shared with emotion.
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| Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Commission, President of the Vietnam Journalists' Association, and Editor-in-Chief of Nhandan Newspaper, Mr. Le Quoc Minh, put forward proposals to further deepen the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba. (Photo: Diep Thao) |
Mr. Le Quoc Minh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation, President of the Vietnam Journalists Association, and Editor-in-Chief of Nhandan Newspaper, remarked that today’s gathering is a warm reunion of those who have built an intercontinental bridge between the revolutionary journalism of Vietnam and Cuba: Vietnamese journalists who studied and worked in the beautiful country of Cuba.
According to the Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Vietnamese journalists will never forget the iconic image from over 50 years ago, when Leader Fidel Castro raised both hands to wave the flag of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam at Hill 241 Tan Lam (Quang Tri Province). He was the first Head of State to visit the liberated zone of Southern Vietnam while the land still bore the smoke and fire of war.
That moment was not only a powerful symbol of the loyal and enduring solidarity between two brotherly nations, but also deeply emblematic of revolutionary journalism. The Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese press will also forever remember the immortal declaration of Leader Fidel Castro, a great friend of Vietnam: "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its own blood."
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"Many years have passed, amid countless changes in the world. Today’s reunion is also an opportunity for us to reflect on cherished memories of personal growth, of the bonds between teachers and students, of friendship and comradeship, and of the challenges we faced during our years of study and work in Cuba," said the President of the Vietnam Journalists Association.
In the current context - where journalism around the world is undergoing rapid transformation due to the explosion of digital technologies and where hostile forces are relentlessly attacking the ideological front - Mr. Le Quoc Minh proposed several initiatives to further deepen the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.
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| Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Minh Son, Director of the Academy of Journalism and Communication, said that stories of mentorship, comradeship, and years of study and work in Cuba remain treasured memories and an endless source of inspiration for Vietnamese journalists. (Photo: Diep Thao) |
Speaking at the event, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Minh Son, Director of the Academy of Journalism and Communication, provided an overview of the heartfelt journey shared by the two brotherly nations. He emphasized that the special solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba is truly unique in the world, in which cooperation in journalism, propaganda, and communications plays an essential role.
According to Dr. Pham Minh Son, the veteran journalists present at today’s event are those who directly experienced, studied, and grew in Cuba - where they were exposed to a revolutionary press rich in its combative spirit and learned from many talented professionals. Upon returning home, they brought with them new knowledge and valuable professional experience, contributing to the enhancement of the quality and effectiveness of journalism in Vietnam. Many of them have held and continue to hold important leadership positions, serving as pillars in the cause of Vietnam’s revolutionary press.
"The stories of mentorship, comradeship, and the years of study and work in Cuba will always remain treasured memories and a lasting source of inspiration," affirmed the Director of the Academy of Journalism and Communication.
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| Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes presents the prestigious Félix Elmusa Medal to five distinguished Vietnamese journalists. (Photo: Diep Thao) |
Also on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day, the President of the UPEC decided to award the Félix Elmusa Medal to five Vietnamese journalists who have made significant contributions to journalism and to promoting the friendship and cooperation between the UPEC and the Vietnam Journalists Association, as well as between journalists of the two nations. This is the highest honor bestowed upon both Cuban and international journalists.
In an interview with The World and Vietnam Report, Mr. Nguyen Viet Thao, former Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Standing Vice President of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association, expressed his deep honor in receiving the Félix Elmusa Medal from the UPEC.
He emphasized that this prestigious recognition is not only a personal honor, but a shared one for the entire revolutionary press of Vietnam, especially for those who once studied in Cuba and are now actively contributing to the field of journalism. According to Mr. Thao, the Félix Elmusa Medal symbolizes the profound political, ideological, historical, and cultural affinity between the peoples of Vietnam and Cuba.
“This award ceremony takes on even greater meaning as we mark the 100th anniversary of Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day. It is a powerful reaffirmation of the enduring values shared by two exemplary revolutionary presses in our modern era,” he stated.
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| Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes presents the Félix Elmusa Medal to Mr. Nguyen Viet Thao, former Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Standing Vice President of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association. (Photo: Diep Thao) |
Mr. Thao highlighted the vital role journalism and the media have played in bridging the two nations: “In the past, we knew Cuba mainly through journalism, literature, and the arts. Today, even though travel has become more convenient, the Vietnamese and Cuban peoples still primarily understand and support each other through media.”
Looking to the future, Mr. Thao called for more robust training and development of Vietnamese journalists, particularly the younger generation: “Our young journalists must receive well-rounded education and training, not only in professional skills but also in political and ideological awareness. We must deepen our understanding of Cuba, the Cuban Revolution, Leader Fidel Castro, and the special, enduring brotherhood between our peoples.”
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