Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and Lázara Mecerdes Lopses Acea, Cuba's Political Member and First Party Secretary of Havana's Municipal Party Committee and other delegates pay tribute at President Ho Chi Minh Monument (Photo: Xuan Dan/VOV)

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1960, their relationship begun by Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh has been consolidated and strengthened in multiple fields.

Vietnam-Cuba cooperation in the new context

Cuba’s economy grew 1.6% last year despite blockades, sanctions, and severe losses from natural disasters. Cuba has adapted its foreign policy to the new global situation. It has participated in multilateral forums to gain support from other countries while expanding and diversifying its international relations.

Cuba has always made Vietnam a priority of its foreign policy. Over the past 57 years, Vietnam-Cuba solidarity and comprehensive cooperation has been continuously strengthened. Vietnamese leaders have repeatedly affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of boosting ties with Cuba and standing shoulder to shoulder with Cubans during national construction and development.

The two countries have boosted their economic and trade ties through cooperation and investment projects. Vietnam is one of Cuba’s 10 top trading partners, and its second biggest trading partner in Asia. The two countries intend to raise two-way trade from 220 million USD last year to 500 million USD by 2020.

A visit with a big message

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Nguyen Trung Thanh said that Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit is not just a diplomatic visit: “It’s most important that the two sides will continue to demonstrate their determination to strengthen and expand comprehensive relations, particularly economic, trade, and investment cooperation. The visit will make bilateral ties more practical, effective, and sustainable amid Vietnam’s renewal and Cuba’s economic model updating.”

Ambassador Thanh said Mr. Trong’s visit reflects Vietnam’s solidarity with and respect for Cuba: “Vietnam closely follows and supports the Cuban people’s revolutionary cause. We sincerely congratulate Cuba on the success of its recent parliamentary election. In April the Cuban National Assembly will elect leaders of the country. Vietnam supports Cuba’s updating of its socio-economic model to build an independent, sovereign, socialist, democratic, prosperous, and sustainable Cuba.

With a tight schedule that includes numerous activities, Mr. Trong’s visit will consolidate political trust and boost bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba, while demonstrating Vietnam’s respect for Cuba and Latin America.