Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh received new Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera in Hanoi on January 9.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (right) shakes hands with new Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera

Congratulating the diplomat on her new mission in Vietnam, Deputy PM Minh said the Vietnam – Cuba special solidarity and cooperation have been expanding across politics, economics-trade, defence-security, and external diplomacy.

Vietnam, despite difficulties, is willing to assist Cuba in its national development and efforts to address the consequences of recent disasters, he added.

Minh stressed the two countries need to continue stepping up engagements, pushing their economics-trade ties to be on par with political relations.

He took the occasion to congratulate Cuba on its 59th Revolution Day (January 1).

Lianys Torres Rivera expressed her delight at working in Vietnam and underscored her commitment to deepening the bilateral relations toward effectiveness.

The Cuban diplomat thanked the support given by the Vietnamese Party, Government and people for her homeland.

Cuba’s Revolution Day celebrated in HCM City

Cuban Consul General Indira Lopez Arguelles (left) and Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association of HCM City Truong Thi Hien (right) present gifts to winners of the poster contest commemorating the 50th anniversary of Che Guevara's death (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn)

The Union of Friendship Organisations and the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City co-hosted a get-together on January 9 to mark the 59th anniversary of Cuba’s Revolution Day (January 1).

Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association of HCM City Truong Thi Hien praised the special relations between the two nations and growing cooperation across sectors such as agriculture, industry, oil and gas, construction, culture, education, and science-technology. 

She noted that the association, together with the Cuban Consulate General in HCM City, have organised a range of activities for local youths and residents in a bid to boost the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.

Addressing the event, Cuban Consul General Indira Lopez Arguelles stressed the importance of Cuba’s Revolution Day, which marked the country’s revolutionary victory under the leadership of Fidel Castro. 

She said right after the success of the revolution, Cuba and Vietnam established close-knit relations, which have been strengthened thanks to joint projects in education and health.

In recent years, Cuban has learned from Vietnam’s experience and knowledge while updating its economic model for growth, the official noted.  

On the occasion, the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association reviewed the outcomes of its poster contest to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Che Guevara's death. The competition attracted 34 entries from students, and 355 from pupils, with 34 submissions winning prizes, including three first prizes, announced.

VNA