Havana (VNA) – The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) hosted an awards ceremony in Havana on July 4 for the national competition on the Vietnam – Cuba friendship, commemorating 65 years of the diplomatic ties (December 2, 1960–2025) and marking the Friendship Year between the two countries.
The contest, titled “Cuba – Vietnam: amistad sin fronteras” (Cuba – Vietnam: friendship without borders) drew 454 submissions from Cuban students aged 6 to 14 across 59 primary and secondary schools.
Mishadai Ramirez Sosa, a sixth-grader from the Mártires de Tarará elementary school in Bauta, Artemisa province, claimed the first prize in the writing category for her essay "El Tío Ho" (Uncle Ho). In the drawing competition, second-grader Zucelys Herrera Gutiérrez from the Nguyen Van Troi elementary school in Rodas, Cienfuegos province, won the top honour with the artwork "Vietnam y Cuba, amigos entrañables" (Vietnam and Cuba – close friends).
Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long praised the contest’s significance in nurturing an understanding among the Cuban youth about the fraternal ties between the two nations.
He also presented gifts to the 17 award-winning students, and five round-trip air tickets to Vietnam for the two top prize winners and three outstanding students from the Nguyen Van Troi school in Havana’s Cerro district. The airfare is sponsored by Da Nang city./.
Vietnam, Cuba strengthen defence ties
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
