Millions of book titles are displayed, hundreds of international delegates are present, and numerous publishing and copyright contracts as well as cooperation agreements between writers’ associations and publishers are signed.
That is to show how disappointing it was for book professionals and book lovers when the 34th Fair in 2026 had to be postponed due to Cuba’s shortage of gasoline, accompanied by shortages of electricity and water; most public transportation had to cease operation; offices worked only half days; university students had to temporarily stay home and study online… all due to the impact of the energy embargo.
Upon setting foot in Cuba, the delegation from the Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution of Viet Nam and the Viet Nam Writers’ Association only then received official notice of the postponement from the organizing body, the Cuban Book Institute. Hundreds of books the delegation had carried halfway around the world, along with planned agreements and cooperation arrangements already taking shape - could they simply be left unfinished? Among them were special Spanish-language books printed by Vietnamese publishers at the request of the Cuban Embassy in Ha Noi, such as the trilogy of comic books about the life of the late President Fidel Castro (500 copies each, published by Kim Dong Publishing House); Two Nations, One History (350 copies, published by the Culture and Ethnic Publishing House), totaling 1,850 copies.
Immediately, delegation head Dinh Tien Dung, Deputy Director of the Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution, convened an urgent meeting and reached a consensus to do everything possible to bring the books to the Cuban friends. After hearing the delegation’s presentation, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long fully supported the plan. He said: “These days we only see foreigners leaving Cuba; only your Vietnamese delegation still comes to our friends, which is truly precious. That demonstrates the special brotherly relationship between Viet Nam and Cuba, always faithful, sharing and deeply bonded in any circumstance. And honestly speaking, at this moment, our friends also very much need your sentiments and spiritual gifts!” The Ambassador suggested using the front yard of the Embassy to hold a formal and beautiful book exhibition.
With just over one day left, they had to race against time. With the support of Vietnamese students in Havana and Embassy staff, the books and booth materials brought from home were transported and set up. Delegation members climbed and worked themselves to construct the exhibition space, carefully tying each backdrop and standee bearing the Book Fair logo and the symbol of Viet Nam–Cuba friendship and cooperation.
The first visitors to the Vietnamese Book Booth were Embassy staff and Vietnamese students. Holding the diverse books brought from Viet Nam - from political works about the great life of President Ho Chi Minh and veteran revolutionary leaders, to literature, children’s books, and Viet Nam–Spanish dictionaries - everyone felt as if they were reunited with precious spiritual nourishment. The children’s books were “reserved” for the children of Embassy staff after the exhibition period ended. In addition, the “Tet Books,” which have emerged as a publishing trend in recent years, also received special attention.
At exactly 10 a.m. on February 13 (the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, Year of Snake), the delegation from the Cuban Book Institute arrived at the Embassy of Viet Nam, including Juan Rodriguez Cabrera, President of the Cuban Book Institute; Iyiamí Palomares Mederos, Director of the Cuban Book Chamber of Commerce and General Director of the Havana International Book Fair; along with other members. On the Vietnamese side were Ambassador Le Quang Long, the Deputy Ambassador, and Embassy officials.
After listening to the Vietnamese delegation’s presentation, Juan Rodriguez Cabrera expressed admiration and deep emotion at the determination and affection of the delegation toward the Cuban people in general and book publishers in particular. He praised Vietnamese publishers for printing books for Cuba in a context where Cuba lacks paper and printing equipment. He noted that there are currently hundreds of valuable works by Cuban writers and scholars that have not yet been printed; therefore, this assistance is extremely practical for the Cuban publishing sector.
Juan Rodriguez Cabrera commended Viet Nam’s modern printing techniques and held for quite some time books about President Ho Chi Minh such as Following His Footsteps (bilingual edition) and Uncle Ho’s Letter to America. “It is regrettable that this year’s Book Fair did not take place as planned, but this is an occasion to demonstrate the special affection between Cuban and Vietnamese colleagues that personally I do not know how to put into words,” he shared.
After touring the book display area, representatives of the publishing sectors of Viet Nam and Cuba held discussions. Representing the Authority of Publication, Printing and Distribution of Viet Nam, Dinh Tien Dung introduced an overview of the domestic publishing industry, shared experiences in management and market development, and proposed many specific and practical directions for cooperation with Cuba.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in publishing, printing, and book distribution, especially publications of value in culture, history, and education - fields rich in potential and deep humanitarian significance. The memorandum of understanding between the parties should be revised and supplemented to suit the current situation, promote printing and translation of each other’s works, and bring books to readers as soon as possible.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Le Quang Long once again emphasized the special comradely and brotherly relationship between Viet Nam and Cuba in the past, present, and future. He highly appreciated cooperation between the two sides in culture and publishing, as well as coordination between the Writers’ Associations of Cuba and Viet Nam in printing books for Cuban writers, organizing creative and academic forums, and arranging field exchange trips for young writers. The Ambassador affirmed: “The Embassy of Viet Nam will always accompany and actively support activities connecting Vietnamese publishing agencies, the Viet Nam Writers’ Association, and Cuban partners in the time to come.”
During their stay in Cuba, the Vietnamese delegation met and worked with the Cuban Association of Young Writers and Cuban publishing houses such as April Publishing House, Green Olive Publishing House, and RUT Publishing House; and presented gifts including books, souvenirs, and cash from the delegation and several domestic publishing units to the Cuban Book Institute, the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba, the Association of Young Writers of Cuba, and several publishing houses.
