Havana (VNA) – On the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 – 2025), Cuba’s leading media outlets and national broadcasters published extensive coverage paying tribute to the legacy of the late Vietnamese leader, while reaffirming the special bond between the Cuban and Vietnamese peoples.
The coverage also underscored the enduring friendship between Cuba and Vietnam, rooted in the revolutionary ideals shared by Ho Chi Minh and José Martí.
In a prominent article featuring José Martí and Ho Chi Minh as the ties that bind two nations, the Granma, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba, drew parallels between the two leaders, particularly in their vision of youth and education. Quoting Ho Chi Minh’s maxim, "For the sake of ten years, we must plant trees, for the sake of 100 years, we should cultivate people," the article noted its resonance with Martí’s reflection in La Edad de Oro: “Children are the hope of the world.”
Juventud Rebelde shared memories from the late journalist Marta Rojas, the last foreign correspondent to interview Ho Chi Minh in 1969. The article also recalled the historic 1973 visit by Cuban leader Fidel Castro to newly liberated areas in southern Vietnam, making him the only foreign head of state to visit those zones during wartime.
Meanwhile, Radio Havana aired a special commemorative programme, featuring President Ho Chi Minh’s 1966 speech and replaying Fidel Castro’s iconic message: “Vietnam is not only fighting for its own people, but for all of humanity.”
As part of the tributes, the University of Havana announced the formation of a new department for Vietnamese studies named after President Ho Chi Minh. Quoting Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Granma reaffirmed: “Ho Chi Minh’s thought and moral legacy serve as a valuable compass for Cuba’s path of development.” Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam also remarked that both Martí and Ho Chi Minh remain enduring symbols of the universal quest for independence and freedom.
Cuban media noted with reverence the historical symbolism of May 19, the birth date of President Ho Chi Minh and the death date of Cuban national hero José Martí, as a profound reminder of the deep connection between the two nations./.
