Polanco underscored, “What we have experienced in these last few hours cannot be achieved without a profound feeling that unites our peoples, a legacy forged by several generations of leaders led by President Ho Chi Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro.”

The diplomat’s statements to reporters came shortly after the Vietnamese Red Cross Society announced that it had significantly exceeded the initial goal set for the campaign, estimated at 65 billion dong (more than 2.47 million dollars).

As of this Friday, contributions had been received from 598,368 individuals and organizations totaling more than 125.3 billion dong (about 4.77 million dollars), the humanitarian organization stated on its website.

Commenting on these results, Polanco stated, “This campaign has touched the deepest soul of the Vietnamese people, demonstrating their generosity, altruism, and human courage for a nation thousands of miles away.”

The ambassador also expressed, on behalf of the Communist Party, the State, the Government, and the people of Cuba, his deepest gratitude to the authorities and people of Vietnam for this new demonstration of profound solidarity and love that once again fuels the close relationship between the two countries.

The campaign to support the Cuban people, launched in Hanoi this Wednesday on Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro’s 99th birthday and in the context of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, will run until October 16.

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