The programm, which will take place in the context of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, will run until October 16 and is aimed at collecting at least 65 billion dong (about two and a half million dollars).

This was announced at the launch ceremony by the a.i. president of the Vietnam Red Cross, Nguyen Hai Anh, who recalled that Cuba was the first country in the western hemisphere to recognize Vietnam and Fidel Castro the first and only dignitary to visit it in the midst of the war of resistance against the United States.

Hai Anh stressed that the campaign, launched just on the day of the birth of the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, not only has a humanitarian character, but also sends a powerful message to the international community: “Vietnam will always be next to Cuba, as Cuba is next to Vietnam”.

The ceremony was attended by the member of the Political Bureau, secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and president of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Do Van Chien, also empohasized the transcendence of this initiative, which reaffirms the spirit of special solidarity, the loyalty and close ties between both nations.

With this campaign, he said, we write a new page in the history of friendship between Cuba and Vietnam, two countries that have had an exemplary, loyal and exceptional relationship for 65 years.

Speaking at the event, Cuba’s ambassador to Vietnam, Rogelio Polanco, said that the special ties between these two nations were founded by their leaders Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro.

When Fidel uttered the well-remembered phrase that “for Vietnam we are willing to give even our own blood,” he said that Vietnam also gave its blood for Cuba and for many other peoples of the world. Hence, our infinite debt to Uncle Ho’s homeland, he concluded.

Polanco also reaffirmed his gratitude for the solidarity support given by Vietnam to Cuba against the economic, financial and commercial blockade of the United States and for maintaining a strong voice against this hostile policy, which causes enormous damage to the Cuban people.

At the ceremony was screened the documentary “From the heart of Vietnam – With all love to Cuba”, produced by the Central Committee of the Red Cross of Vietnam, and performed the Artistic Company of the Youth Theater, which played “Vietnam – Cuba always together” and the emblematic “Guantanamera”.

Also today, in a simple activity held at the headquarters of the Cuban Embassy, officials of the state mission and its workers commemorated the 99th anniversary of the birth of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and started the year of the centenary of the historic leader of the Revolution.

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