Vietnam president affirms support for Cuba during visit

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel met with his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam in Havana on Thursday, where they signed several bilateral agreements during the visit. 

“The world has witnessed many changes, but the enduring friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba will remain unchanged,” said To Lam, 67, as quoted by the Cuban presidency. 

During their meeting, the two presidents toured the commercial port of Mariel, a free trade zone located about 37 miles (60 kilometers) from the capital, where multiple Vietnamese companies are in operation, as reported by the official press. 

Both Cuba and Vietnam are part of the small group of five countries worldwide that are governed by a single Communist Party. However, Vietnam has undergone economic liberalization while Cuba has not. 

Several agreements were signed in areas such as health and agriculture during the visit, including a rice production program utilizing hybrid seeds imported from Vietnam. 

Bilateral trade between the two countries amounts to approximately $340 million, with Vietnam exporting rice, coal, chemicals, textiles, and electronics to Cuba, while importing pharmaceutical products, as per the Cuban Center for International Politics Research. 

Addressing a delegation of Vietnamese businessmen, Lam expressed Vietnam’s desire for Cuba to achieve sustainable development and self-sufficiency in all sectors, emphasizing the need to support Cuba through its challenges. 

Lam took office at the start of August as the leader of Vietnam’s Communist Party following the passing of his predecessor, Nguyen Phu Trong. 

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