Vietnam Party chief hosts welcome ceremony for Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel

The Cuban leader is paying a three-day state visit to Vietnam and is set to attend the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day (September 2).

At around 8:20 am, President Díaz-Canel and his delegation laid a wreath and paid respects at the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

The Cuban delegation proceeded to the Presidential Palace, where they were formally received by Party chief Lam at 8:30 am.

The two leaders and their spouses exchanged warm greetings at the entrance of the palace.

Their meeting came nearly a year after the Vietnamese leader visited Cuba in September 2024, where he was received with great warmth and hospitality.

As part of the welcome ceremony, the leaders walked a ceremonial red carpet and were greeted by children waving the flags of the two nations and a military band performing the national anthems of both Cuba and Vietnam.

After the commander of the Vietnamese honor guard reported to the leaders, Party chief Lam invited President Díaz-Canel to inspect the guard of honor.

The ceremony continued with the formal introduction of the senior officials from both delegations.

Following the ceremony, the two leaders held talks.

This is the Cuban leader’s first visit to Vietnam as First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba, but it is his third visit to the country overall.

President Díaz-Canel’s visit underscored the enduring special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, a relationship that has been continuously nurtured through high-level visits, regular meetings, and robust bilateral cooperation.

The traditional solidarity, special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba have served as a beacon for international relations and become a torch lighting the path of their collaboration and development, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang told the press before the visit.