The September 5 function saw the attendance of Secretary of the local Party Committee José Ramón Monteagudo Ruíz and Governor Beatriz Johnson Urrutia.
This is the first time Vietnam’s National Day has been celebrated in Santiago de Cuba, regarded as the cradle of the Cuban Revolution, about 900km east of Havana.
The event took place in the context that the two countries are preparing for the celebration of the first visit to Vietnam by Cuban leader Fidel Castro 50 years ago (September 12-17, 1973).
Fidel was the first and only foreign leader to visit the liberated area in the south of Vietnam when the war was ongoing.
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| At the ceremony marking Vietnam's National Day. (Photo: VNA) |
This year also marks the 60th founding anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam.
In his remarks, Ambassador Le Thanh Tung highlighted the historical importance of September 2, 1945, when President Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration of Independence, declaring the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam).
Reviewing Vietnam’s journey over the past 78 years, the diplomat stressed the great support from peace-loving nations and progressive forces worldwide, saying Vietnamese people always bear in mind their solidarity.
The Vietnamese Party, State and people have proudly preserved and promoted the fraternity, friendship, comprehensive cooperation and absolute trust with their Cuban counterparts over the past 63 years, the ambassador said, expressing his belief that the relationship will remain stable forever and grow further in the time ahead.
A photo exhibition was also held on this occasion, featuring the special friendship between the two countries.
