The event was jointly held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnamese Embassy.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hoang Tuan Anh, stressed that the traditional friendships and cooperation between the two countries, fostered by Vietnam’s late president Ho Chi Minh and Cuba’s national hero Jose Marti has been constantly developed.

Minister Anh quoted Cuban President Fidel Castro’s famous word “Cuba is ready to spill her blood for Vietnam” which stirred the hearts of the Vietnamese and Cuban as well as other people around the world.

Cuban Minister Abel Prieto said Vietnam Week provides an excellent opportunity for young people in both countries to step up cultural exchanges and the event is extremely significant as its marks the 50^th years of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Vietnam, the 120^th birth anniversary of late president Ho Chi Minh and the 1000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

Later the same day, a photography exhibition entitled “Vietnam its land and people” opened at the Cuban Revolution Museum.