Warm Community Tet celebration of Lunar New Year Binh Ngo in Cuba

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long speaking at the event.

The program was attended by officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba, along with nearly 100 Vietnamese residents living, studying, and working in Cuba.

The event also saw the participation of Ambassadors, Chargé d'affaires, and officials from ASEAN countries in Cuba, including Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste, showcasing the solidarity and cohesion of the ASEAN community in the area.

Also present were Mr. Fredesman Turro Gonzalez, former Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam and Vice President of the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association; Mr. Mai Thao, President of the Vietnamese Association in Cuba; representatives of the working delegation from the Department of Publishing, Printing, and Distribution (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) working in Cuba; and numerous Cuban friends who have studied and worked in Vietnam, familiar with Vietnamese culture and language.

In his New Year speech at the ceremony, Ambassador Le Quang Long emphasized that for the Vietnamese people, the Lunar New Year is a sacred occasion for reunion, gratitude, and new beginnings. He affirmed that the overseas Vietnamese community is an inseparable part of the nation.

The Ambassador recalled President Ho Chi Minh's teachings on the power of great national unity, urging compatriots to continue promoting the tradition of “compatriotism” – siblings from the same womb – to jointly build a prosperous nation.

Reflecting on the 40-year journey of Doi Moi, the Ambassador highlighted Vietnam's significant achievements in socio-economic development and international integration.

From 2021 to 2025, the average economic growth rate is approximately 6.3% per year; the GDP size in 2025 is estimated to exceed 510 billion USD; the per capita GDP is about 5,000 USD; and the Human Development Index (HDI) continues to improve. Vietnam maintains trade relations with over 230 countries and territories, has signed 17 free trade agreements with more than 60 partners, and strongly attracts FDI and ODA; its international position and reputation are continuously enhanced.

The Ambassador emphasized that the Communist Party of Vietnam, at its 14th Congress in January 2026, identified 2026 as an important milestone opening a new development phase, aiming for Vietnam to become a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle-income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045.

To achieve this goal, the contributions of the overseas Vietnamese community are of utmost importance.

The Ambassador called on compatriots in Cuba to continue playing the role of a bridge of friendship, strengthening traditional cooperation, especially between the Vietnamese and Cuban peoples; actively studying, researching, and contributing knowledge to the homeland; promoting the image and culture of Vietnam to Cuban friends and the Latin American region; while complying with local laws and building a united, strong community.

Ambassador Le Quang Long affirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba is always a “common home”, listening and accompanying the compatriots.

Despite the difficulties Cuba is facing due to fuel shortages, which prevented some compatriots from attending, the Embassy still organized a thoughtful program, preparing hundreds of Banh Chung and many traditional dishes, rich with the flavors of Tet from home.

The art program, organized and performed by the Vietnamese Student Association in Cuba, created a youthful and vibrant atmosphere with songs and dances about spring and the country.

The students, many of whom have achieved excellent academic results at Cuban universities, showcased the image of dynamic, intelligent, and integrated Vietnamese youth. The Cambodian and Malaysian Ambassadors also participated in performances, contributing to strengthening solidarity within the ASEAN community in the area.

Sharing with the Embassy at the event, Mr. Mai Thao emotionally affirmed that Cuba is his “second homeland”, emphasizing the special, faithful relationship between the Vietnamese and Cuban peoples.

For his part, Mr. Fredesman Turro Gonzalez also reminisced about his profound memories during nearly 40 years of working in Vietnam, including two terms as Ambassador, expressing his appreciation for the country and people of Vietnam.

Some images from the event: