Cuba’s orders presented to Vietnamese army officers

Orders of Playa Girón presented to General Phan Van Giang (L), General Luong Cuong (L) and General Ngo Xuan Lich (C) (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – A ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence in Hanoi on December 7 to present Cuba’s orders to leaders, former leaders and officers of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).

Specifically, the Orders of Playa Girón were granted to General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence; General Luong Cuong, Director of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People's Army; and General Ngo Xuan Lich, former Minister of National Defence.

Cuba also presented the Orders of Antonio Maceo to seven individuals, and the Friendship Orders to 23 others.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Giang thanked the Cuban Party, State, people and the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) for their affections and valuable rewards for officers and soldiers of the Vietnamese army.

He affirmed that together with the good development of the relations between the two parties and the two states, the relationship between the VPA and the FAR has always received attention by generations of the two countries’ high-ranking leaders, thus becoming an important pillar and bright spot in the bilateral ties.

To continue consolidating the defence cooperation in the coming time, the two sides will actively carry out collaboration activities based on signed documents and agreements, and work towards the early signing of a cooperation plan for 2023-2025.

Attention will be paid to maintaining existing cooperation and dialogue mechanisms, promoting the exchange of delegations at all levels, he added.

Vietnamese and Cuban delegates pose for a photo (Photo: VNA)

The Order of Playa Girón is conferred on Cubans, foreigners, heads of state or heads of government for their outstanding roles in the struggle against imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism, and who have contributed to the peace and progress of humankind. It was established in 1961 and is named after the Playa Girón, site where the Cuban army defeated the paramilitary invasion groups at the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961.

The Order of Antonio Maceo is presented to units and individuals of the FAR for their special achievements in military campaigns, outstanding combat qualities; or having merits in training and fostering commanders, contributing to the national safeguarding and development cause. It is also granted to officers and military units of foreign countries for the same purpose.

Meanwhile, the Order of Friendship is awarded to Cuban citizens and foreigners in recognition of their outstanding participation in the cause of building a just society and tightening solidarity, friendship, cooperation, mutual assistance between countries in the world./.

VNA