Vietnam-Cuba- a model of international relations

The visit aims to deepen the special friendship, comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between the Parties, States and peoples of Vietnam and Cuba.

55 years ago, Cuba was the first country in the western hemisphere to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam. Since then the Vietnam-Cuba relationship has developed steadily.

Special relationship

The relationship between the Vietnamese and Cuban Parties, governments and peoples is a rare relationship. It is an invaluable treasure of both countries’ leaders and peoples which was built by President Ho Chi Minh and President Fidel Castro.

Over the past half a century, the two countries have supported each other in their respective national liberation struggles. During the fiercest years of the struggles, Cuba always stood side by side with Vietnam and supported Vietnam both materially and spiritually.

Cuba was a leader in the international movement to support Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation and currently pays significant attention to boosting multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in agriculture, education, health, bio-technology, transportation and sports.

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro called the Vietnam-Cuba relationship special and unprecedented and a model of international relations. Vietnamese people will always remember Cuban people’s support for Vietnam during the war and during the current national development.

When Cuba suffered from an embargo and repeated natural disasters, the Vietnamese Party, State and people always wholeheartedly supported the Cuban people.

Vietnam has closely followed Cuba’s development and its achievements in pursuing the socio-economic development model which was put forth at the 6th National Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba.

Vietnam believes that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba and President Raul Castro, the Cuban people will certainly overcome all difficulties to boost national development.

Creating motivation for bilateral economic cooperation

The fine bilateral political relationship and mutual trust between Vietnam and Cuba has motivated bilateral economic and trade cooperation. 

Bilateral trade has increased from US$175 million in 2012 to US$200 million in 2014. Vietnam exports rice and consumer goods to Cuba and imports from Cuba medicine and biological products.

The two countries have strengthened bilateral cooperation in oil and gas exploration and exploitation in Cuba, and facilitated cooperation between the Viettel Military Telecommunications Group and Cuba’s ETECSA State Telecommunications Company.

They have signed a number of cooperative agreements creating a legal framework for business cooperation between Vietnamese and Cuban enterprises. They have stepped up trade and economic relations based on their countries’ economic reforms.

Huge potential remains for the two countries to boost bilateral trade. Cuba is accelerating its reform and updating its growth model. A number of decades-old sanctions on Cuba have been removed.  Vietnam is preparing for its 2nd National Party Congress.

President Truong Tan Sang’s visit will tighten the special bilateral relationship and pave the way for further economic cooperation. During President Sang’s visit, the two countries will discuss the development and revolutionary path in their respective countries.