Cuba’s top leader to attend Vietnam’s 80th National Day celebration during state visit

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that the visit comes at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse.

This will be the top Cuban leader’s third official trip to Vietnam.

He previously visited in June 2013 as First Vice President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba, and again in November 2018 as President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba.

In his meetings with top Vietnamese leaders, he has consistently expressed deep affection for Vietnam, describing the country as a model of successful socio-economic development.

Vietnam and Cuba established diplomatic relations on December 2, 1960.

During Vietnam’s resistance war against American troops, Cuba became a symbol of international solidarity, offering Vietnam valuable and effective support.

After 1975, Havana continued to provide assistance and upheld its revolutionary principles, backing Vietnam’s efforts in national reconstruction and defense.

For its part, Vietnam has always considered solidarity with Cuba a matter of principle and conscience, offering practical support in times of difficulty, including cooperation in rice production, food security, and socio-economic development.

High-level exchanges between the two Parties and states have been frequent in recent years, consolidating the special friendship.

While bilateral trade remains modest, at nearly US$200 million in 2024, Vietnam’s rice exports account for around 50-60 percent of the total value.