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| The Hanoi delegation lays flowers at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn) |
At the statue of President Ho Chi Minh, the delegation respectfully laid flowers in remembrance of President Ho Chi Minh, who laid the foundation for the Vietnam-Cuba relationship, a unique, enduring friendship. During the flower-laying ceremony, the delegation learned about the historical value of this site and the monument’s design. The monument, designed by architect Joel Diaz, Vice President of the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association, was inaugurated in 2003.
The statue stands on a red marble base, covering 54 square meters, symbolizing Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. At the center is a yellow floral five-pointed star representing the Vietnamese national flag. The statue's marble base is simple, adorned with no decorative patterns, symbolizing President Ho Chi Minh’s life of modesty. The red-painted metal frame surrounding the monument forms a cone shape, representing the Vietnamese conical hat. Of the four metal posts, three represent the three founding organizations of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the fourth signifies the Communist International.
At the top of the monument, where the posts converge, is a tribute to President Ho Chi Minh’s role in uniting revolutionary forces toward the shared goal of national liberation. A dense bamboo grove behind the monument creates a familiar Vietnamese landscape, while ancient trees in the background recall the forests of the Viet Bac and Dien Bien Phu revolutionary bases, where Ho Chi Minh led the Vietnamese revolution. This space, cherished by those who admire Vietnam, provides shade around the monument, symbolizing the exemplary friendship between the Vietnamese and Cuban peoples.
During the mission, the delegation also visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba, where they were warmly received by Le Quang Long, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba. Ambassador Long noted that although the Vietnamese community in Cuba is small, they have made notable achievements recognized by the Cuban Party and government. Vietnamese investment activities, including those from Hanoi-based enterprises, are beginning to emerge in Cuba, especially in areas such as construction materials. Vietnamese students in Cuba, mostly on government scholarships, are achieving excellent academic results.
At the gathering, Ms Huong expressed greetings to embassy staff and Vietnamese expatriates living, studying and working in Cuba. She informed the Ambassador about Hanoi-Cuba cooperative relations, highlighting frequent exchanges in recent years. In June 2023, the Hanoi Party Committee and the Havana Party Committee signed a cooperation agreement for 2023-2028 during a visit by a high-level delegation from Havana to Hanoi. Based on this agreement, Hanoi's departments and agencies are strengthening cooperation with those in Havana. The Hanoi Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association also maintains close relations with the Cuban Embassy in Hanoi.
On behalf of the delegation, she expressed her hope that the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba would continue promoting Hanoi’s image and fostering relations between Hanoi and Cuban localities, especially as Vietnam and Cuba prepare to celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations in 2025./.