Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and many senior leaders of the Party, State, National Assembly and Government paid tribute to Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro Ruz at the Cuban Embassy in Hanoi on November 28.
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| Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong shares the loss with Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz |
Fidel Castro, former First President of the Cuban Communist Party’s Central Committee and President of the State Council and Council of Ministers, passed away on November 25 (Havana time) at the age of 90.
Mourning the loss with Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong conveyed his boundless sorrow and deepest sympathy to the Party, State and people of Cuba and the leader’s family.
Writing in the funeral book, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong recalled the late leader’s famous saying “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to donate blood”, and affirmed the solidarity of Vietnam with Cuban people.
Meanwhile, President Tran Dai Quang wrote on the funeral book that “Fidel Castro is a great and close friend, a comrade and brother of Party, State leaders and people of Vietnam during the past 50 years”.
“The burning passion and great courage of the revolutionary leader left a strong impression on those who had the honour to meet him, including me”, he wrote.
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc led a Government delegation, including Deputy PMs Vuong Dinh Hue and Trinh Dinh Dung, paid a floral tribute to the Cuban leader.
The PM wrote: “the life and revolutionary career of leader Fidel Castro is a great symbol of the spirit of resilient and brave struggle for national independence and freedom of Cuba as well as the liberation movement and struggle against imperialist and racial discrimination for peace and justice in the world”.
“For Vietnamese people, Fidel Castro is a close and loyal friend who made great contributions to the foundation, enforcement and development of the fraternal ties, comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between Vietnam and Cuba. He accompanied Vietnam during the hard years of the struggle for national independence and reunification as well as the national construction and development,” wrote the PM.
The same day, various delegations from ministries and sectors, representatives from embassies and international organisations and individuals who have studied and worked in Cuba, paid homage to the revolutionary leader at the Cuban Embassy.
The Cuban Embassy’s funeral book commemorating Fidel Castro will remain open until December 4.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam urged the Vietnam Trade Union to reform more rapidly, deeply and substantively. It must work together with the State, enterprises and training facilities to improve workers’ professional qualifications, digital skills and adaptability.
VGCL President Nguyen Anh Tuan said achievements obtained over the past ternure reflect the close guidance of the Party, effective coordination among State agencies, local authorities, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and socio-political organisations, support from employers and, above all, the dedication and innovation demonstrated by trade union officials, members and workers across the country.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung emphasised the need to further improve institutions and policy frameworks, develop digital infrastructure and data resources, and create the necessary conditions for science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to become new drivers of economic growth.
Prof. Huang Rihan of Huaqiao University in China’s Fujian province said the Vietnamese leader’s address highlighted three major crises currently facing the world - the crisis of the international order, the crisis of development models, and the crisis of strategic trust.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang said that alongside the robust growth of relations between the two countries, defence cooperation has continued to develop extensively and intensively, becoming increasingly practical and effective.
Adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 24, 2024, and opened for signature in Hanoi in October 2025, the convention is the first global multilateral treaty dedicated to combating cybercrime.
The visits also took place at a time when the Philippines is serving as ASEAN Chair in 2026, Singapore is preparing to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, and Vietnam is set to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2027.
Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, expressed her emotion at seeing the children’s optimism despite difficult circumstances, noting that both Vietnam and the Philippines place children at the centre of their development policies, from education, health care to child protection.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation departed Manila on June 1, concluding a successful state visit to the Republic of the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse.
Participants reviewed rental housing demand in each area, considering different market segments and target groups. They also examined the gap between supply and demand, and pinpointed issues in policy frameworks.
Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to elevate their relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, opening a new phase of cooperation in politics, defence and security, economic ties and other key areas.
Vietnam and the Philippines on June 1 issued a Joint Statement on the Enhanced Strategic Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam’s state visit to the Philippines.
Economic cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines should move to a new level, with greater emphasis on quality, depth and substance, as the two countries seek to maximise opportunities under their newly upgraded Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse are paying state visit to the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 at the invitation of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse.
General Secretary and President To Lam encouraged the Vietnamese in the Philippines to remain united, abide by local laws, contribute practically to the homeland and continue fostering friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
By moving from crisis response to proactive risk reduction, Vietnam has positioned itself as a responsible and mature “architect” of regional peace, said a Malaysia-based expert.
The President Ho Chi Minh monument in the ASEAN Garden holds profound historical, cultural, and diplomatic significance, reflecting the friendship between Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as the solidarity within the ASEAN community.
The trip demonstrates Vietnam's high regard for its friendship and cooperation with the Philippines, as well as with ASEAN and the Southeast Asian region.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam on May 30 met with leaders of major Singaporean corporations, technology companies, financial institutions and banks with long-standing investments and business operations in Vietnam.
General Secretary and President Lam expressed his hope that the community will remain united, preserve the Vietnamese language and cultural identity, and strengthen ties with the homeland.