Vietnam-Cuba: 65 years of steadfast solidarity and comprehensive cooperation for a sustainable future
WVR - The year 2025 marks a special historical milestone in Vietnam-Cuba relations: 65 years of diplomatic relations (2/12/1960-2/12/2025). This is an occasion for the two brotherly nations to reflect on their glorious journey, affirm the enduring value of pure international solidarity, and jointly foster comprehensive cooperation for a sustainable future.
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| Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, Prime Minister of the Revolutionary Government of Cuba, visit the war-torn town of Dong Ha (Quang Tri), which is being restored, September 1973. (Source: VNA) |
The Vietnam-Cuba relationship is one of the rare special relationships in the history of international relations. It is not only a bond and convergence of interests between the two nations but also a meeting of revolutionary ideals, historical circumstances, aspirations for independence and freedom, and sincere feelings among people who share a common value: resilience, indomitability, humanity, and progress. Though separated by half the globe, their hearts beat as one, united towards a bright future.
Standing together in times of war
As early as the late 19th century, Cuban national hero José Martí wrote about Vietnam with deep admiration, portraying a diligent, creative people with a long-standing culture and an indomitable fighting spirit. He sowed the first seeds of friendship and solidarity between the two peoples, becoming the first Cuban to introduce Vietnam to the Cuban people in particular and Latin America in general.
Following this ideology, President Ho Chi Minh and Leader Fidel Castro laid a solid foundation for the special relationship between the two countries. During the fierce years of war, Cuba stood by Vietnam not only in words but with courageous actions, sacrifices, and the passionate heart of brotherhood.
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| Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
In 1960, Cuba became the first country in the Western Hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. In 1969, Cuba established relations with the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam and set up an "Embassy in the Jungle" in Tay Ninh, a touching symbol of friendship amidst the fierce battlefield.
In 1973, Leader Fidel Castro, defying danger, became the first foreign head of state to visit the liberated areas of South Vietnam, demonstrating a noble international spirit and affirming unwavering faith in the victory of the Vietnamese people. His immortal words: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood” became a deeply ingrained symbol in the hearts of millions of Vietnamese. On international forums, Cuba always led efforts to mobilize and call for international support, contributing to a broad solidarity movement unprecedented in support of Vietnam.
Beyond spiritual support, Cuba also assisted Vietnam with material, knowledge, and manpower. Cuba built schools, hospitals, agricultural production facilities, provided medicine, trained thousands of cadres, and sent experts to assist Vietnam during difficult times. Projects like the Victory Hotel in Hanoi, the Vietnam-Cuba Hospital in Dong Hoi, and training programs for Vietnamese students in Cuba are models of cooperation and sharing, of steadfast and loyal affection between the two peoples.
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| General Secretary To Lam holds talks with First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez during a state visit to Vietnam, September 2025. (Source: Nhan Dan) |
Comprehensive cooperation in a New Era
Entering a new phase, the two countries continue to inherit and promote this valuable legacy. The state visit to Cuba by General Secretary, President To Lam in September 2024 and the state visit to Vietnam by First Secretary, President Miguel Diaz-Canel in September 2025 opened a new chapter in comprehensive cooperation. Both sides agreed on many important contents, issuing a Joint Declaration on strengthening traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation in the new era.
In the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year 2025, cooperation activities are being extensively implemented across various fields, from politics-diplomacy, defense-security, economy-trade-investment, to justice-legislation, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Bilateral dialogue mechanisms are maintained flexibly and effectively, with continuous exchanges of high-level delegations, demonstrating trust and closeness between the two countries.
With its experience and capacity in energy and food security, Vietnam is always ready to support Cuba. Cooperative projects between the two countries in rice, corn, and seafood production have yielded practical results, enhancing Cuba's self-sufficiency in food. Notably, the first harvest of the rice production cooperation project in Cuba for the 2025-2027 period achieved a yield of 7.2 tons/ha, more than four times the local average. This success results from the comprehensive application of Vietnamese technology, including hybrid rice varieties, fertilizers, pesticides, and advanced cultivation techniques.
In the field of economy-investment, Vietnam continues to maintain its position as Cuba's second-largest trade partner and largest investor in the Asia-Pacific region. Vietnamese enterprises are deeply involved in producing essential goods, consumer products, and construction materials. These cooperative projects not only help Cuba reduce imports of food and essentials but also create local value chains, saving transportation costs and reducing dependence on international markets. The two countries are promoting the establishment of a high-tech pharmaceutical joint venture in Vietnam, transferring biopharmaceutical and chemical drug technology from Cuba, aiming to develop safe and effective medical products for both nations and export to the Asian market.
Additionally, cultural, artistic exchanges, documentary screenings, and theoretical seminars have enriched the relationship between the two peoples. The Cuban National Ballet Theatre and the "La Colmenita" children's art troupe performed in Vietnam in 2025, leaving a deep impression on Vietnamese audiences. Both sides also organized the screening of episodes 4 and 5 of the documentary "Two Hearts Beat as One" on February 13, 2025, vividly depicting the journey of connection between the two peoples. Notably, the nationwide campaign "65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Affection" launched by the Vietnam Red Cross Central Committee raised 650 billion VND with about 2 million contributions, reflecting the profound affection of the Vietnamese people for their Cuban brothers.
In the context of rapid and complex global and regional changes, presenting many challenges in security, development, and national identity, Vietnam and Cuba need to further harness their internal strengths, enhance coordination, learn from each other, and develop together.
We believe that with the support and companionship of the leadership and people of both countries, Vietnam and Cuba will continue to expand cooperation in new fields such as green technology, renewable energy, digital transformation, biopharmaceuticals, healthcare, tourism, education, high-tech agriculture, and sustainable development. These fields not only align with global trends but also leverage the potential strengths of both nations, promising to bring tangible results for socio-economic development and improve people's lives.
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| Ceremony honouring outstanding collectives and individuals of the "65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Affection" program, October 18, 2025. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper) |
A guiding light for the future
On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations (2/12/1960 - 2/12/2025), we once again look back on the journey to see that the Vietnam-Cuba solidarity is not only a precious asset of history but also an endless inspiration for the present and future. It is a vivid testament to the power of trust, revolutionary ideals, aspirations for advancement, and sincere feelings among people who share a common value: independence, freedom, justice, and compassion.
In the face of unprecedented global challenges, from climate change, global pandemics, geopolitical instability to widening development gaps, the Vietnam-Cuba solidarity is a powerful reminder that only genuine attachment, sharing, and cooperation among nations can create a fair, humane, and sustainable world.
We do not forget that in the most challenging moments of history, the two nations stood shoulder to shoulder, weathering the storm together. And today, when faced with new opportunities and challenges, we must continue to uphold our faith, strengthen friendship, and deepen the special Vietnam-Cuba relationship, so that it remains a symbol of exemplary international friendship, a precious legacy for current and future generations to preserve and promote.
On this significant occasion, we remember and deeply appreciate the great contributions of President Ho Chi Minh, Leader Fidel Castro, and the previous generations of leaders from both countries who diligently nurtured this special relationship. At the same time, we express our sincere gratitude to the people of both nations who have always accompanied, shared joys and sorrows, and together wrote the heroic epic of international solidarity.
I extend warm congratulations, heartfelt thanks, and a steadfast promise to the Cuban brothers: Vietnam has, always, and will forever stand alongside Cuba as President Ho Chi Minh affirmed, "Vietnam and Cuba are thousands of miles apart, but the hearts of the two peoples are as close as brothers." The Vietnam-Cuba solidarity is an eternal flame, a strength to overcome all challenges, a foundation for us to build a bright, independent, and hopeful future in the new era.
For the happiness of the people, for the noble ideals of the two nations, we will continue to move forward, firmly, confidently, and with great aspirations. Vietnam and Cuba, united, will surely triumph!
(Article by Member the Party Central Committee's Secretariat, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung for the Special Edition commemorating the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations
