Hanoi, September 25 (RHC)-- Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, announced in Hanoi that will pay an official visit to Cuba from September 28th through the 30th, on an invitation by his Cuban counterpart, President Raúl Castro.

The Vietnamese news agency VNA reports that the upcoming visit is in the framework of commemorations on the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, celebrated on December 2nd. 

Cuba was the world's pioneer in the social movements' support for the Vietnamese people's independence cause. Ever since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Caribbean state and the Asian country have maintained fruitful, mutually beneficial cooperation relations.

Bilateral trade grew from $175 million in 2012 to over $200 million in 2014. Vietnam's exports to Cuba are mainly rice and consumer goods, while it is also a major importer of Cuban medicines and biotechnology products.

Several Vietnamese companies are currently in the process to set up investment projects in sectors like tourism and construction. Other areas of cooperation include telecommunications, education and culture.