Welcoming the delegation, Marta Bonet, National President of UNEAC, expressed deep emotion, noting that while Cuba is currently facing numerous hardships and shortages due to the embargo, Vietnamese friends still managed to travel there and bring invaluable spiritual gifts. She shared that most offices in Havana are now operating only in the mornings to conserve electricity, yet UNEAC made a special decision to hold an afternoon session to receive the Vietnamese delegation.
She also noted that the Havana International Book Fair 2026 had to be postponed due to fuel shortages, which have disrupted many activities across the country. This was deeply regrettable, as the fair is a prestigious annual cultural event in Latin America, serving as a major platform for connecting knowledge and spreading literary and artistic values globally. Nevertheless, amid these challenges, Cuban writers and artists were heartened by the steadfast and sincere affection from their Vietnamese colleagues — friends who, having shared both favourable times and hardships, understand one another even more deeply.
Dinh Tien Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution and head of the delegation, conveyed the delegation’s admiration and heartfelt solidarity with the fraternal Cuban people. He emphasised that Viet Nam and Cuba have always stood side by side in both the best and the most difficult of times — and will continue to do so.
Among the books brought to the fair, the delegation presented UNEAC with valuable Spanish-language publications printed by Vietnamese publishing houses, including a comic series on the life and career of President Fidel Castro and “Two Nations, One History”. These are the first titles in a set of 12 books that Viet Nam plans to publish and present to Cuba at the request of the Cuban Embassy in Viet Nam.
In addition, the delegation donated several books in English and Vietnamese, such as “Following His Footsteps” by Trinh Quang Phu, “President Ho Chi Minh’s Letters to America”, “New Season” published by the Writers’ Association Publishing House, and the Lunar New Year book collection by Dong A Company.
Dung also shared encouraging news: in the near future, the Department of Publishing, Printing and Distribution plans to invite Cuban writers to Viet Nam for literary exchanges and joint creative activities with Vietnamese authors.
Poet Huu Viet, a member of the Executive Committee of the Viet Nam Writers’ Association, stated that in order to help ease Cuba’s publishing difficulties, the Association intends to print five selected Cuban books annually. Additionally, each year the Association plans to translate and publish two Cuban literary works in Viet Nam, introducing Cuban authors to Vietnamese readers.
Writer and journalist Magda Resik, First Vice President of UNEAC, highly appreciated this initiative. She revealed that approximately 75 works by renowned Cuban authors and 15 award-winning literary titles are currently awaiting publication due to difficulties caused by the embargo. She expressed strong support for the draft Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Viet Nam Writers’ Association and UNEAC, describing its provisions as concrete and practical. She expressed hope that the cooperation would yield positive outcomes, particularly highlighting the importance of expanding academic exchanges and creative field trips for young writers from both countries.
