Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 19 attended a meeting commemorating the 40th anniversary of the inaugural visit of former Cuban President Fidel Castro to the battlefield in the central province of Quang Tri.
Addressing the event, Deputy PM Phuc recalled the visit by President Fidel Castro in 1973, saying it gave courage to the Vietnamese people and soldiers fighting against US troops in 1975.
Phuc said the visit was politically significant in Vietnam's history, as President Castro had been the first foreign leader to visit Vietnam soon after the early independence of the North.
The gesture conveyed the affection President Castro had for Vietnam, who insisted on visiting the war-torn locality, said Phuc.
He also said that during the post-war era, Cuba had continued to be Vietnam's strongest supporter as it began the process of rebuilding, adding that bilateral relations between the two countries have persisted throughout their respective histories.
"The Party, State, and people of Vietnam will always appreciate support from Cuba," he said.
In 1973, President Fidel Castro led a delegation to Hanoi to celebrate the nation's newfound freedom. President Castro was reportedly determined to visit Quang Tri on September 15 and 16, wanting to inspect the locality worst affected by American attacks and buoying local hopes for rebuilding the province.-VNA
Addressing the event, Deputy PM Phuc recalled the visit by President Fidel Castro in 1973, saying it gave courage to the Vietnamese people and soldiers fighting against US troops in 1975.
Phuc said the visit was politically significant in Vietnam's history, as President Castro had been the first foreign leader to visit Vietnam soon after the early independence of the North.
The gesture conveyed the affection President Castro had for Vietnam, who insisted on visiting the war-torn locality, said Phuc.
He also said that during the post-war era, Cuba had continued to be Vietnam's strongest supporter as it began the process of rebuilding, adding that bilateral relations between the two countries have persisted throughout their respective histories.
"The Party, State, and people of Vietnam will always appreciate support from Cuba," he said.
In 1973, President Fidel Castro led a delegation to Hanoi to celebrate the nation's newfound freedom. President Castro was reportedly determined to visit Quang Tri on September 15 and 16, wanting to inspect the locality worst affected by American attacks and buoying local hopes for rebuilding the province.-VNA
