National Launch: Supporting the Cuban People with Food, Medical Supplies and Essentials

On August 13, in Hanoi, the National Launching Ceremony of the Program to Support the Cuban People with the theme "65 Years of Vietnam - Cuba Friendship" took place. The program will last for 65 days (August 13 - October 16, 2025), aiming to mobilize at least 65 billion VND to support medical supplies, necessities and sustainable development cooperation areas, contributing to helping the Cuban people overcome difficulties.

The launching ceremony was chaired by the Vietnam Red Cross Central Committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association, news agencies, newspapers and many related units. This is a meaningful activity in the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Year 2025, commemorating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (December 2, 1960 - December 2, 2025).

Mr. Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Fatherland Front, Central mass organizations, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and delegates pressed the button to launch the Program. (Photo: Vietnam Fatherland Front)

Attending the launching ceremony were Mr. Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Fatherland Front, Central organizations, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Truong Thang, Party Central Committee member, Deputy Minister of National Defense ; Mr. Tran Thanh Lam, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission; Mr. Dang Hoang Giang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Dong Huy Cuong, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations; representatives of ministries, sectors, organizations, and central agencies; Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentescho; along with many diplomatic agencies, international organizations, the business community, and former Vietnamese experts and students who worked and studied in Cuba.

In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh, Vice President, General Secretary, and Operations Manager of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, said that the program will last 65 days, from August 13 to October 16, 2025, with the goal of mobilizing at least 65 billion VND to support food, necessities, medical supplies and implement sustainable humanitarian activities for the Cuban people.

"This is not only a humanitarian campaign but also a strong message to international friends and the Cuban people: Vietnam is always by Cuba's side as Cuba has been, is and will always be by Vietnam's side," he emphasized.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh, Vice President, General Secretary, Executive Director of the Vietnam Red Cross Society delivered the opening speech of the Program. (Photo: Vietnam Fatherland Front)

The Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society calls for the response of departments, ministries, branches, socio-political organizations, people's organizations, localities, agencies, units, enterprises; all cadres, civil servants, public employees, officers, soldiers, workers, students; compatriots at home and abroad, along with international organizations, diplomatic agencies, business communities and international friends in Vietnam. At the same time, it is requested that press and media agencies strongly spread the message: Vietnam - Cuba forever stand side by side in challenges, share hardships and always have Vietnam, so that this sentiment touches and permeates the hearts of each person, becoming concrete and practical actions.

The Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society requests the Red Cross Societies of provinces and cities to advise local Party committees and authorities to issue response plans; mobilize agencies, units, enterprises, schools, armed forces and people; develop appropriate mobilization goals and targets, and synchronously deploy propaganda and mobilization forms to contribute to completing and exceeding the common goals of the whole country. The Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society commits to transparency and publicity in all receipt of support and will fully and promptly transfer it to the Cuban people in 2025.

Mr. Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Fatherland Front, Central mass organizations, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, spoke at the Program. (Photo: Vietnam Fatherland Front)

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mr. Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Fatherland Front, Central organizations, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, expressed his emotion when representing the leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front to attend the event of profound political, social and foreign affairs significance, on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba. He affirmed that over the past 65 years, the relationship between the two countries has become an exemplary symbol of pure, loyal and strong international solidarity. Despite being half a world apart, the people of the two countries have always stood shoulder to shoulder, supporting each other in both favorable times and difficult and challenging times.

Recalling the immortal words of Leader Fidel Castro “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood”, Mr. Do Van Chien emphasized: That is not only a promise, but has become a vivid reality throughout the journey of the Vietnamese people fighting for independence, building and defending the Fatherland. The Vietnamese people always remember and give the Cuban people their unconditional care, sharing and support.

According to Mr. Do Van Chien, in the context of Cuba being affected by geopolitical conditions, natural disasters, epidemics and socio-economic difficulties, organizing the support campaign has profound humanitarian significance, and is a vivid demonstration of the close relationship between the two nations. The program not only provides material support to help Cuba overcome immediate difficulties but also spreads the message of international solidarity, affirming that "in any circumstances, the Vietnamese people always stand shoulder to shoulder with the Cuban people".

Mr. Do Van Chien said that the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front has agreed to let the Vietnam Red Cross Society take the lead in coordinating with socio-political organizations, unions, business communities, overseas Vietnamese and international friends to mobilize the strength of national solidarity, calling on people from all walks of life to respond with practical actions to help Cuba overcome difficulties, stabilize life and continue to develop the country on the socialist path.

"The Vietnam-Cuba solidarity is a priceless asset of the two peoples. Today, we continue to write new pages of that friendship with concrete actions so that every Cuban can deeply feel that, despite the great geographical distance, Vietnam is always loyal, affectionate, and ready to share," he said, expressing his hope that the program will become a profound educational activity for the younger generation, helping to imbue and spread the noble values of international friendship.

All contributions to support the Cuban people can be sent to:

- Unit name: VIETNAM RED CROSS SOCIETY

- Account number: 2022

- Bank: Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MBBank)

- Transfer content: CUBA

Reception period: From August 13 - October 16, 2025

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/le-phat-dong-cap-quoc-gia-ung-ho-nhan-dan-cuba-ve-luong-thuc-vat-tu-y-te-va-nhu-yeu-pham-215535.html