Vuong Dinh Hue, President of the National Assembly of Vietnam

By María Josefina Arce.

The president of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Vuong Dinh Hue, is on an official visit to Cuba until the 23rd, which reinforces the ties between the two nations, described by both sides as historic and endearing.

Deep friendship, respect, solidarity, and cooperation in various fields characterize the relations between Havana and Hanoi, forged for decades under the legacy of the historic leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro, and the father of the Vietnamese nation, Ho Chi Minh.

The dialogue between the Caribbean country and the Asian state has always been fluid, with points of view coinciding on various issues of international affairs and with the common goal of working for the welfare of their people.

At the parliamentary level, there has been a constant bilateral exchange, through virtual conversations or physical visits, such as the one made in November last year to Vietnamese territory by the Secretary of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba, Homero Acosta.

Precisely, the digital site Cubadebate highlights that the delegation from the Asian nation, headed by Vuong Dinh Hue, will be the first to visit Havana after the inauguration of the Tenth Legislature of the Cuban Parliament, which will take place this April 19, on the 62nd anniversary of the defeat of the mercenary invasion of Playa Giron.

 It is also significant because this year marks the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's first visit to Vietnam and the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Cuban Committee of Solidarity with the Asian country.

Throughout time, both peoples have written a history of solidarity, in which there are many examples of mutual support. In the early years, Cuba supported the Vietnamese people with sugar and other donations, while Cubans went to the distant country to help in the construction of roads, hospitals, and other works.

Solidarity has been reciprocal. During the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and given the difficult world economic situation, aggravated for Cuba by the reinforcement of the U.S. blockade, Hanoi donated medical supplies and food.

Vietnam immunized its population with the Abdala anti-covid vaccine, the result of the effort and dedication of the Cuban scientific community.

In the commercial field, Vietnam is one of Asia's main partners. Companies from that state are present in the Mariel Special Development Zone, in the western province of Artemisa. It is the Asian country with more investments in the SDZ.

The visit of the president of the National Assembly of Vietnam is another sign of the political will of Havana and Hanoi to continue deepening the ties of brotherhood that unite us, and that have overcome time and geographical distance.