Cuban Revolution Hero Raul Castro Meets with Vietnamese President

Cuban Army General Raul Castro (L) and Vietnam’s President To Lam (R). X/ @PresidenciaCuba

September 27, 2024 Hour: 2:27 pm

They spoke about the historical ties of friendship and the excellent relations between their peoples and governments.

On Friday, Cuban Army General Raul Castro received Vietnam’s President To Lam, who is on a visit to the Caribbean country.

They spoke about the historical ties of friendship and the excellent state of relations between their peoples, parties, and governments, while reaffirming their commitment to strengthening these bonds.

During the dialogue, Castro emphasized the importance of Vietnam’s active participation in Cuba’s National Economic and Social Development Plan through 2030.

At the meeting, Lam was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Le Hoai Trung, and Foreign Affairs Ministry Bui Thanh Sơn. Cuba was also represented by Army Corps General Alvaro Lopez, Interior Minister Lazaro Alvarez, and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerardo Peñalver.

Since 2000, Vietnam’s economy has grown faster than all other countries in Asia excluding China, averaging 6.2% per year.

In just two decades, it has transitioned from largely making low value-added goods like garments to building complex, high value-added electronics, providing… pic.twitter.com/pJNsjxYGrc
— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) April 26, 2023

During a formal ceremony held on Friday, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed his admiration for the economic successes achieved by Vietnam since the Doi Moi program, the market liberalization reforms the Asian country implemented starting in 1986.

“It is the clearest demonstration of how a better society can be built,” he said, adding that liberalization measures should “always be adopted in accordance with the characteristics of each country.”

In his remarks at the formal event, President Lam stressed that it is important for Vietnam and Cuba to seek “shared development” to enter a “new phase.” Earlier, the two countries signed seven bilateral agreements in areas such as health and agriculture, as well as a memorandum of understanding between the central banks of each country, and a plan for rice production on the island.