Quảng Trị Province on Thursday held a ceremony marking the 100th birth anniversary of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro (August 13, 1926–2026), honouring his enduring legacy and his special contribution to the friendship between Việt Nam and Cuba.
The ceremony was jointly organised by the Provincial People’s Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba at Fidel Castro Park in Đông Hà Ward.
Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the Quảng Trị Provincial People’s Committee Lê Đức Tiến described Fidel Castro as a leader of exceptional stature whose life and revolutionary career were closely intertwined with the victory of the Cuban Revolution, Cuba’s struggle for independence and sovereignty, and the global pursuit of independence, freedom, peace and justice.
For Quảng Trị, Fidel Castro’s legacy is inseparable from one of the most memorable chapters in Việt Nam-Cuba relations.
On September 15, 1973, just months after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords and while the war in Việt Nam was still raging, Fidel Castro became the first and only foreign head of state to visit the liberated areas of southern Việt Nam in Quảng Trị. The visit was far more than a diplomatic gesture. It was a historic political statement and a powerful demonstration of solidarity with Việt Nam at a critical moment. Fidel Castro’s presence in the war-torn land became an enduring symbol of Cuba’s unwavering support for the Vietnamese people.
More than half a century later, the image of Fidel Castro in Quảng Trị remains deeply engraved in the memories of the Vietnamese people.
Speaking at the ceremony, Cuban Ambassador to Việt Nam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes said Fidel Castro Park was a particularly meaningful place to commemorate the revolutionary leader and reflect on his outstanding contribution to the Cuban Revolution.
A century after Fidel Castro’s birth, he said, Cuba and Việt Nam pay tribute to one of the most distinguished sons of Cuba and a steadfast leader in the struggle for national liberation, reunification and national development.
The ambassador also expressed profound gratitude for the Vietnamese people’s enduring respect and affection for Fidel Castro, saying that generations of Vietnamese people have preserved and cherished his legacy and the special bond between the two nations.
Delegates laid wreaths and observed a minute of silence in memory of Fidel Castro, honouring him as an outstanding Cuban revolutionary, a great friend and steadfast comrade of Việt Nam. The ceremony also recalled the special, exemplary and deeply affectionate friendship between the two countries.
The Việt Nam-Cuba Friendship Hospital in Đồng Hới stands as a lasting testament to the Cuban people’s solidarity with Việt Nam. Beyond its medical significance, the hospital embodies the friendship, sharing and mutual support that have characterised bilateral ties.
As a tribute to Fidel Castro, Quảng Trị Province built Fidel Castro Park in central Đông Hà and put it into operation in 2018. It was the first park in Việt Nam to bear the name of the Cuban revolutionary leader.
Fidel Castro’s legacy has also been commemorated through a series of international activities in Cuba.