The fundraising program titled “65 years of Vietnam - Cuba friendship” will conclude in just four days. Launched to celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba (December 2, 1960 - December 2, 2025) and the 2025 Vietnam - Cuba Year of Friendship, the program has spanned 65 days, from August 13 to October 16.

Nguyen Hai Anh, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, reported that by October 9, the campaign had received donations from nearly 2.2 million Vietnamese citizens. The total amount collected by both central and local organizations exceeded 500 billion VND (of which the central Red Cross had received 468.7 billion VND). This marks one of the largest-scale donation efforts in terms of public participation within such a short period.

Bank account details: 2022 - Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MBBank). Transfer description: CUBA. Account holder: Vietnam Red Cross Society.

On September 1, at the Central Party headquarters and in the presence of General Secretary To Lam and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, Do Van Chien - President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee - presented the first disbursement of nearly 385 billion VND on behalf of the Party, the State, and the Vietnamese people to support the Cuban people.

"The donations will go toward supporting Cubans in their daily struggles for food, medicine, energy, electricity, and fuel. We also hope the Cuban side can use this support for sustainable humanitarian projects such as refurbishing schools, hospitals, and essential goods production facilities. This is a gift from the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, but we are not imposing conditions - we leave it to the Cuban people to decide how best to use it amid their pressing challenges," Hai Anh said.

Touching stories of standing shoulder to shoulder in adversity

Hai Anh emphasized that this campaign conveys the powerful message: “Vietnam and Cuba stand together through hardship, sharing solidarity in the face of trials.” He recalled lesser-known stories from the past that reflect this enduring relationship.

During the country’s difficult resistance wars, when Vietnam lacked almost everything, Cuba consistently supported Vietnam through international diplomacy and left-wing revolutionary movements, along with many concrete actions.

"In the 1960s, President Fidel Castro authorized the transfer of USD 6 million in cash to purchase equipment and machinery, which was loaded onto ships and sent to Vietnam to help build the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Thanks to this generous support, Vietnam completed the legendary route. Many Cuban officers and soldiers came to Vietnam as civil engineers, some of whom sacrificed their lives here," Hai Anh recalled emotionally.

In 1973, just after the liberation of Quang Tri, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro became the first and only foreign leader to cross the 17th parallel and visit the province. There, he reaffirmed the immortal words he had declared in 1966: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood” - a statement that remains forever etched in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.

During Vietnam's post-war economic reform period, despite Cuba’s own difficulties, it remained a loyal friend and partner. Cuba helped Vietnam build important infrastructure like Dong Hoi Hospital, the Xuan Mai - Son Tay - Da Chong Road, and the Thang Loi Hotel.

"With 2 million Vietnamese having donated to support Cuba, the campaign's success is not just measured by money but by the deep and consistent bond between the two countries," said Nguyen Thai Hoc, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Central Fatherland Front and Mass Organizations.

Vietnam, too, remembers its "friend and brother" during hard times. In 2008, Vietnam raised USD 200,000 to help Cuba recover from natural disasters.

In recent years, Cuba has suffered greatly due to economic sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic, two devastating hurricanes in 2024, and an undersea earthquake off its eastern coast. The Cuban people are facing severe shortages of food, medicine, medical supplies, fuel, fertilizers, animal feed, and essential goods.

Vietnam was the first country granted permission to grow agricultural products on Cuban land. These projects now provide up to one-third of Cuba's annual food needs. For the remaining two-thirds, Vietnam is also a major supplier, offering favorable terms such as deferred payments.

Looking ahead, Vietnam will continue supporting Cuba through renewable energy projects, including wind and solar power, household goods production, and building materials.

The Vietnam Red Cross Society will work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam, and the Cuban Red Cross to transfer the donated resources and monitor their use.

According to the Vietnam Red Cross, within just 30 hours of launching, the campaign raised 65 billion VND (already meeting 100% of the initial goal). After 48 hours, donations reached 130 billion VND - double the target.

As of 10:00 AM on October 8, 2025, over 467 billion VND had been transferred to the official campaign account, with an additional 55.9 billion VND contributed through provincial and municipal Red Cross branches.

This humanitarian campaign was highlighted in the Joint High-Level Statement between Vietnam and Cuba on September 2, 2025 - Vietnam’s National Day - reflecting the strategic importance both nations place on this enduring friendship.

A closing ceremony for the “65 years of Vietnam - Cuba friendship” campaign is expected to be held on the morning of October 18.

Binh Minh