Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State, in a central act in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Fidel's first visit to Vietnam. Photo: Tony Hernández

DONG HA, Quang Tri, Vietnam.˗ The member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State, spoke at the central act in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Fidel's first visit to Vietnam, held in the city of Dong Ha, Quang Tri province, territory visited by the Commander-in-Chief in 1973.

In the presence of Truong Thi Mai, member of the Political Bureau, permanent member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and head of its Organizing Commission; Tran Thanh Man, Permanent Vice President of the National Assembly of Vietnam; authorities of the province and representatives of the new generations; The head of the Cuban Parliament conveyed the deepest gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, Government and people for the successful organization of these memorable days, as well as for their permanent solidarity with our country in the most difficult moments.

"We are intensely moved to visit these places where Fidel arrived accompanied by the unforgettable comrade Pham Van Dong, in this scenario of so many battles, despite the efforts made by the Vietnamese leaders, determined to persuade him, because of the risks he was running. Fidel had the joy of embracing the heroic combatants who fought with blood and fire sure of victory and here he reiterated the firmest support, admiration and affection of Cubans.

"When the exemplary relations of brotherhood between Cuba and Vietnam are evoked, an image immortalizes them: Fidel joyfully waving the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam on Hill 241, a few kilometers from the enemy. Also a phrase defines them: 'For Vietnam we are ready to give even our own blood'. True symbols of the cherished ties that unite us," he said in his speech at the Quang Tri cultural center to veterans participating in the heroic struggle for independence and national reunification of the sister Asian nation, and different generations of Vietnamese.

In turn, he recalled passages of the visit of the Commander in Chief to different territories of the Indochinese country five decades ago, highlighted the feat of the victory conquered by the people of Ho Chi Minh against the imperialists and the decisive support of the Greater Antilles in times of war and in the reconstruction of Vietnam.

"The atmosphere of brotherhood created since the beginning of our bonds has determined the indestructible character of our friendship. In our bilateral relations, the legacy of Fidel and Ho Chi Minh prevails because, as Uncle Ho said; the same moral identification emanates from our peoples, despite the fact that Cuba and Vietnam are geographically antipode," Lazo Hernández said.

In this regard, he added that the bilateral ties between the two countries can be described as exemplary, a true symbol of an era, as Fidel said.

"The regular exchange and permanent cooperation between the two Communist Parties, governments and peoples, based on political trust, openness and high level, to make better use of each side's experiences on the difficult path of socialist construction, stand out. We will preserve, for present and future generations, the traditions of solidarity and brotherhood that unite us," he concluded, in an emotional intervention that deserved on several occasions the applause of the attendees.

Truong Thi Mai, provincial authorities and youth representatives, ratified the historical and close ties that unite both peoples. Photo: Tony Hernández

For their part, Truong Thi Mai, provincial authorities and youth representatives, ratified at the event the historic and endearing ties that unite both peoples, as well as the will to continue strengthening our relations of brotherhood.

On the day, which became a true artistic gala for Cuban-Vietnamese friendship, tribute was paid to the witnesses of the epic and the pioneers who won a solidarity contest were recognized.

Hours earlier, Esteban Lazo and the Cuban delegation paid tribute to the Commander in Chief, with a floral offering, in the square that bears his name in Dong Ha, the first city in the world with a square called Fidel Castro and which was inaugurated in September 2018. Here they also planted a tree, as a testimony of this historical journey.

In addition, they reached the exhibition "Loyalty, friendship and solidarity Vietnam-Cuba", consisting of fifty documentary photographs in black and white and color, selected from the photographic archives of the Vietnamese News Agency (VNA) and Prensa Latina (PL).

Central act in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Fidel's first visit to Vietnam. Photo: Tony Hernández

In Fidel's footsteps in Quang Tri

Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State, in a central act in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Fidel's first visit to Vietnam. Photo: Tony Hernández

History wanted that, 50 years later, the threat of rain would again be present on the road trip from Quang Binh province to Quang Tri. But, if five decades ago, nothing could prevent the Commander in Chief from reaching the liberated territories of South Vietnam, today the intense rain did not hinder this purpose of reaching the southern zone to the Cuban delegation, headed by Esteban Lazo.

The President of the State Council and his entourage arrived at the emblematic bridge over the Ben Hai River, which marks the 17th Parallel, which formerly divided the north and south of the country, accompanied by Tran Thanh Man, permanent vice president of the National Assembly of Vietnam, and authorities from Quang Tri. Crossing the bridge from north to south, as Fidel did; Lazo Hernández affirmed that the photo of the greeting to the deputy head of the Vietnamese Parliament reflected, from this historic place, the eternal brotherhood between Cuba and Vietnam.

In the visitors' book, he expressed the deep emotion of visiting this scene of such heroic combats, where 50 years ago the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution expressed the firmest solidarity of the Cuban people.

"At either end of this bridge the flags of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam waved victoriously. Nothing and no one was able to divide the people of Ho Chi Minh, one from north to south. We are moved by the stories we have heard, the images we have seen and the extraordinary contribution they made to humanity," he said in his message.

Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Fidel's first visit to Vietnam. Photo: Tony Hernández

Later, he visited the former seat of the Provisional Government of South Vietnam. When signing the visitors' book here, he said: "With deep respect, admiration and affection, we tour this place today converted into a museum, which was the center of the direction of the struggle in those times, where the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution was 50 years ago. Sobering, emotional and beautiful story that is told here. Our tribute to their heroes and heroines," reads the text.

A conviction is clear in this historic tour, both peoples are continuators of the legacy of Fidel and Ho Chi Minh, sure that Cuba and Vietnam, United Will Win.

Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State, in a central act in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Fidel's first visit to Vietnam. Photo: Tony Hernández

Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State, in a central act in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Fidel's first visit to Vietnam. Photo: Tony Hernández

In video, report of Canal Caribe

 https://youtu.be/fmr2jpEmZZs

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Esteban Lazo paid tribute to Ho Chi Minh and held official talks with the Vietnamese president