The Parties, States and armies of Vietnam and Cuba have been closely cooperating and supporting each other in effectively containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic amid its complicated developments and severe impact on all aspects of society.

Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha (R) presents the token of the relief package
to Cuban Anbassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera (Photo: VNA) 

On March 27, the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense’s leaders met the Cuban Ambassador and Military Attaché to Vietnam to suggest defense cooperation between the two sides in combating the disease, and in researching and producing quick test kits, vaccines and anti-viral drugs.

On March 31, Vietnamese Minister of Defense General Ngo Xuan Lich and Deputy Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh sent their letters to the Minister of Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Chief of the General Staff of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, respectively, to officially propose the above cooperation contents.

On April 1, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera announced that the Cuban Party, State and Army agreed with all the suggestions by Vietnam.

Accordingly, Cuba is ready to send medical experts to share its experience in COVID-19 treatment, provide Vietnam with medicines to treat COVID-19 patients in Vietnam, and work together to research and produce medicines, vaccines and fast test kits.

On April 2 and April 7, the two sides successfully organised online conferences with the participation of their experts who have rich experience in joining international assistance in global pandemics.

Participants discussed measures to prevent and control the pandemic, while sharing experiences on coordination among relevant ministries, sectors and agencies in the work.

They also touched upon ability to support each other in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and cooperation in research and production of vaccines, as well as other fields in the future.

The third conference of this kind is scheduled to take place in late April.

Regarding the sending of Cuban medicines and experts to Vietnam, as well as the providing the Cuban side with medical supplies that it needs, the two sides agreed to implement immediately after commercial flights to the two countries resume operation.

The recent cooperation between the two sides in preventing COVID-19 is vivid evidence to the long-lasting friendship and solidarity of the two nations.

The prompt support for Vietnam in the endeavour and the taking this as one of Cuba's top priorities have shown the Cuban side’s special sentiment to and political trust in Vietnam.