General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
The meeting between First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and the high-ranking delegation from the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), led by General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence. (Photo: VNA)
Havana (VNA) – A high-ranking delegation from the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), led by General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence, paid a working visit to Cuba from June 14 🌌to 19, aiming to deepen the long-standing solidarity, special friendship, and defence cooperation between the two countries.
Senior Lieutenant General Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, chaired a welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation at El Cacahual Mausoleum in Havana.
He expressed confidence that the visit would leave a lasting impression and further solidify the traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and armies.
During the visit, General Cuong held talks with Senior Lieutenant General Álvaro López Miera, Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces.
The host warmly welcomed the Vietnamese delegation and recalled his visit to Vietnam in June 2023. He expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s enduring support amid Cuba’s ongoing socio-economic challenges and reaffirmed the desire to expand bilateral defence cooperation in fields of mutual interest.
General Cuong, in turn, emphasised the symbolic significance of the visit as both nations prepare to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties in December 2025 and celebrate the Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Year. He reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Both sides reviewed recent defence cooperation outcomes and outlined future directions.
They agreed that defence cooperation remains a pillar of the bilateral relationship and a model for broader collaboration. Areas identified for continued or expanded cooperation include military medicine, cybersecurity, defence industry cooperation, joint exercises, and exchanges between military units.
In a meeting with General Cuong and the Vietnamese delegation, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez highlighted the historical significance of the visit as a continuation of the special relationship forged by leaders Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro.
Cuba will always stand side by side with Vietnam, the leader affirmed.
General Cuong conveyed greetings from Party General Secretary To Lam and other top leaders of Vietnam to General Castro Ruz, President Miguel Díaz-Canel, and other Cuban leaders.
Cuong reaffirmed Vietnam’s deep respect and appreciation for Cuba’s steadfast solidarity.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence, pays tribute to Cuban General Antonio Maceo. (Photo: VNA)
As part of the visit, the Vietnamese delegation toured several Cuban military units and attended a screening and handover ceremony for episodes 4 and 5 of the documentary “Two hearts beat as one” co-produced by the defence ministries of both countries.
On this occasion, in recognition of his contributions to bilateral ties, Cuong was presented with a replica of the sword of Cuban national hero Antonio Maceo - a symbol of honour and solidarity.
During their stay in Cuba, the delegation also visited the Vietnamese Embassy and laid flowers at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in the park in Havana named after the leader./.
The article by Cuba’s Inter Press Service detailed how Vietnamese private enterprise Agri VMA leased 1,000 ha of land in Los Palacios district, Cuba’s westernmost province of Pinar del Río, for rice cultivation over a three-year period. The project’s first harvest in 2025 recorded an impressive yield of 7.2 tonnes per hectare, far exceeding the local average of 1.6 tonnes.
The Ambassador highlighted the deep-rooted cooperation between journalists of both nations, stating that the Cuban people closely followed Vietnam’s triumphs during the war thanks to this enduring partnership.
During a working session with Cuban Deputy Minister of Health Tania Margarita Cruz Hernández, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen described the bilateral medical partnership as a vivid symbol of international solidarity, one deeply rooted in the historic friendship fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and leader Fidel Castro.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
