By Roberto Morejon

Representing the inhabitants of the archipelago, residents in Santiago de Cuba gave a warm and friendly farewell to the president of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Vuong Dinh Hue.

On a stopover in the eastern city after his stay in Havana, the Vietnamese parliamentary leader reiterated messages of friendship, modesty and firm determination of the authorities of his country to increase cooperation in the legislative and other fields with the largest of the Antilles.

For Cubans, the visit of the leader was an example of the potentialities that can be exploited for both nations to increase their exchanges and investments.

He stressed that as part of the presence of Vuong Dinh Hue, agreements will be signed to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, in line with the objective of achieving a higher rank, in line with the excellent political and historical ties.

At the head of a large delegation of more than 250 leaders, politicians, businessmen, legislators, representatives of associations and artists, Vuong Dinh Hue highlighted his government's willingness to reach new commitments with the Antillean nation in areas such as agriculture, biotechnology and production of goods and services.

Significant agreements were signed to promote civil aviation, electric energy, oil and the commercialization and production of construction materials.

In this way, Vietnam's role in the domestic economy is strengthened, becoming the second largest trading partner of the land of José Martí and the main investor in Asia.

Cubans, who remember Vietnam's donations during the pandemic, welcome the establishment of their companies in the Mariel Special Development Zone, west of Havana, the main pole of investment attraction.

The Vietnamese, for their part, express gratitude because Cuba sent specialists for the production of vaccines against Covid-19, an event that along with others of the close relationship, motivated interesting reflection of Vuong Dinh Hue.

The parliamentary leader said that Cubans and Vietnamese should be even more united, cooperate more and defend the ideal of a prosperous socialism, an aspiration that the populous Asian nation is successfully achieving.

Cubans see Vietnam as a sign of how, by working vigorously, setbacks, such as those of a war-torn country, can be turned into victories.