Because it is a friendship whose roots are anchored to the heart, this Monday afternoon took place with the presence of First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the ceremony for the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Representatives of both sister nations gathered at Portocarrero Hall of the Palace of the Revolution to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's Declaration of Independence, an event that took place on September 2, 1945 in the central Ba Dinh Square, before the congregation of half a million people. Then, the unforgettable Ho Chi Minh made public the Declaration that opened a new era in the history of the nascent Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Le Quang Long, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, took the podium to express, above all, on behalf of his Embassy and the Vietnamese community residing, studying and working on the Island, feelings of gratitude for the affection and solidarity that Cubans lavished on their country in the gesture of holding an act of commemoration like on Monday.
The success of the August Revolution and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, he reflected, had not only national significance but also an impact on the international scene. The August Revolution, he said, played an important role in the beginning of the era of national liberation around the world, because it boosted and created a strong boom of national liberation movements of the colonial countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
He stressed that in "this 80-year journey, full of challenges but also successes," they have always appreciated and thanked "the solidarity and valuable support of the international community, progressive movements and friendly countries, especially Cuba - a friend, a partner, a brother - that has supported Vietnam in the most difficult moments."
On behalf of the Caribbean nation, Member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla delivered the keynote address: "We are honored to gather today to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the Proclamation of the independence of Vietnam, imbued with the solemnity and patriotism with which that heroic people celebrates this memorable event, seed of the current Socialist Republic of Vietnam, ten times more beautiful, united, prosperous and peaceful, as dreamed by its great founder."
Rodríguez Parrilla said that "Vietnam and Cuba were twinned in militant solidarity. Our ties were woven with the struggle of the Moncada assailant Melba Hernández in the Cuban Committee of Solidarity with South Vietnam; the temerity and audacity of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz on Hill 241, flying the flag of the National Liberation Front just hundreds of meters from the enemy lines; the presence of Cuban experts in the construction of the legendary Ho Chi Minh trail, and the chronicles of Marta Rojas and Raúl Valdés Vivó from the bowels of the Vietnamese jungle".
He emphasized that this decision to meet the same fate was summed up masterfully by Fidel in January 1966, in Plaza de la Revolución, when he said that "for Vietnam we are ready to give even our own blood".
Bruno Rodríguez did not overlook the fact that next January 2 will be the 60th anniversary of that moment, which he valued as "a milestone in the relations of solidarity and brotherhood that unite us". And then he said: "We will commemorate the date in both countries, with the joy of inaugurating a 2026 that will also mark the centenary of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution.
"In these traditions, 65 years of exemplary relations, mutual political trust, systematic high-level dialogue and frank exchange of experiences in the construction of socialism have been forged."
At another point in his speech, the foreign minister said: "Cuba is grateful for Vietnam's historic and unwavering support for our country's struggle against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by U.S. government, and against the unjust presence of Cuba on the infamous list of alleged State sponsors of terrorism".
He reiterated his gratitude to Vietnam "for its invaluable contribution to the food security of our people, and its contributions in cooperation for the planting of corn, and aquaculture production.
"The response of the Vietnamese people to the initiative promoted by the Vietnamese Red Cross to support the Cuban people is deeply moving and has far exceeded all expectations, which endorses those words always conveyed by Vietnamese leaders: for Vietnam, solidarity with Cuba is an order of the heart. This generous and sublime gesture eloquently demonstrates the endearing and genuine nature of the brotherhood between Vietnam and Cuba".
Representing the largest of the Antilles, in addition to the Head of State, were the member of the Political Bureau and Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba Manuel Marrero Cruz; other members of the Political Bureau; leaders of the Party, the State and the Government; representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Armed Forces (FAR, for its Spanish acronym), the Interior (Minint, for its Spanish acronym), Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Agriculture and Education; as well as the Union of Young Communists, mass organizations, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP, for its Spanish acronym); among other guests.
