Addressing the event, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman and President of the Vietnam–Cuba Association, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, said she believes with strong will, the Cubans will continue to overcome challenges and successfully implement the Resolution of the sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba.

Ngan also called on the US administration to quickly end its unfair and irrational embargo against Cuba .

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Fredesman Turo Gonzalez stressed the significance of the Vietnamese Government’s renewed commitment to the Food Security Programme in his country.

VNA Deputy General Director Le Duy Truyen highlighted the growing cooperation between the two countries in education, healthcare, trade, agriculture and construction.

Truyen also hoped the fraternal Cuban people will successfully update their economic model to build a beautiful and prosperous communist country.

Addressing a similar event in HCM City on the same day, President of the municipal Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Association, Hoang Thi Khanh, said the city, along with the entire nation, has been doing its utmost to foster the ever-lasting Vietnam–Cuba traditional ties.

Hailing Vietnam’s call for an end to the US embargo, Cuban Consul General in HCM City, Gabriel Perez, also briefed participants on the country’s preliminary reforms that helped the economy grow by 3.4 percent last year, and expected to increase to 3.7 percent in 2013.

VNA