Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is going to hold a day of national mourning forFidel Castro on December 4 to express condolences and gratitude to therevolutionary leader of Cuba, who passed away on November 25.

Thedecision was made by the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, theNational Assembly, the President, the Government and the Vietnam FatherlandFront Central Committee basing on the special relationship between Vietnam andCuba.

Fidel Castro, who was Commander-in-chief of the Cuban revolution, formerFirst Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee (CPC), andformer President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers, died onNovember 25 night (Havana time) at the age of 90.

Cuba announced nine days of national mourning for him from November 26to December 4. Fidel will be interred in a cemetery in Santiago city on December 4.

He was born on August 13, 1926, in Oriente province (now Holguin),eastern Cuba. He led the Cuban revolution to victory, seizing theadministration on January 1, 1959. 

He served as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976.He held the position as First Secretary of the CPC Central Committee from 1965to April 2011 

From 1976 to 2008, Fidel Castro was a member ofthe parliament and was elected as President of the Council of State and Councilof Ministers. 

On July 31, 2006, due to health reason, hehanded over the power to Raul Castro, the then Second Secretary of the CPCCentral Committee and First Vice President of the Council of State. 

In February 2008, Fidel Castro declared not torun for election to the seventh National Assembly and State leadershippositions. He also resigned from his post as First Secretary of the CPC CentralCommittee at the sixth Congress of the CPC in April 2011. 

Cuba and Vietnam established the diplomatic tieson December 2, 1960. Since then, Fidel Castro, Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minhand following leaders of the two countries have continually nurtured the solidarity,comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between the two Parties, States andpeoples.

Fidel Castro made three visits to Vietnam in September 1973, December1995, and February 2003. He was the first foreign leader to visit thenewly-liberated area in the central province of Quang Tri in September 1973. Hewas also a country leader who took the lead in international movements tosupport Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and reunification, alongwith national development and defence. 

With all his great contributions, Fidel Castro waspresented with the two noblest orders of the Vietnamese State: Golden StarOrder in 1982 and Ho Chi Minh Order in 1989.-VNA