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Sr. Lt. Gen. Álvaro López Miera offers incense in tribute to General Nguyen Chi Thanh. |
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Lt. Gen. Do Xuan Tung offers incense in remembrance of Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh. |
Accompanying the delegation from the Vietnamese side was Lieutenant General Do Xuan Tung, Deputy Chief of the General Department of Political Affairs.
At the museum, the Cuban Defense Minister and delegation offered incense in tribute to General Nguyen Chi Thanh and Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, former Deputy Minister of National Defense.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Álvaro López Miera and Lt. Gen. Do Xuan Tung view photos, documents, artifacts, and books on display at the museum. |
The Cuban minister paid respects to General Nguyen Chi Thanh, describing him as an outstanding disciple of President Ho Chi Minh, a steadfast communist, and a brilliant general who dedicated his life to the ideals of independence, socialism, and happiness of the people. Throughout his career in various positions, General Thanh demonstrated determination, intellect, and responsibility in service of the Party, the people, and the military.
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General Álvaro López Miera and his spouse, together with Lt. Gen. Do Xuan Tung, pose for a photo with the spouse and two children of Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh. |
Meeting with the families of both General Nguyen Chi Thanh Thanh and Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, General López Miera said that visiting the museum and speaking with their relatives was a great honor. He emphasized that both men were close friends of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces and of the Cuban people.
Recalling personal memories of General Vinh, General López Miera said, "I met Comrade Nguyen Chi Vinh many times. Beyond our professional relationship, we were close like brothers. He was very proud of his father and followed in his footsteps, becoming a soldier, a communist, and a great friend of Cuba. Very few people could do that.”
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Delegation members watch a short documentary marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam–Cuba diplomatic relations. |
He also praised General Vinh’s contributions to bilateral relations, recalling that he was the one who initiated the idea of compiling the Historical Dossier on 60 Years of Vietnam – Cuba Defense Relations. This project carries great significance in preserving historical memory and educating future generations of both peoples and militaries, especially the youth.
Both López Miera and Nguyen Chi Vinh invested considerable effort in the documentary “Two hearts beat as one,” a key part of the historical dossier. As head of the project’s steering committee, General Vinh remained deeply involved even after retirement, continuing to advise on the film until the final days of his life.
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General Álvaro López Miera writes in the museum’s guestbook. |
To support the project, General López Miera directed Cuban agencies to collect documents in Santiago de Cuba, the cradle of the Cuban revolution, contributing materials for the dossier and broader archives on bilateral relations. His spouse, Colonel Rosa María Rodiles Alarcó, Deputy Director of the Center for Military Studies, also played an important role in this effort.
General López Miera stressed that the Vietnam – Cuba relationship is an invaluable asset that must be preserved for future generations. He expressed confidence that the peoples and militaries of both nations will continue to nurture the solidarity and friendship built by earlier generations, ensuring that the special and faithful bond between the two countries grows ever stronger.
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Dang Thi Minh Ngoc, spouse of Sr. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, presents a photo to Sr. Lt. Gen. Álvaro López Miera. |
General Nguyen Chi Thanh Museum, modeled after the family home at 34 Ly Nam De Street where the general lived from 1955 to 1986, preserves hundreds of photographs, artifacts, documents, and bronze statues linked to milestones in his revolutionary career. It also recreates two historic workspaces: his office at 34 Ly Nam De and his hut at the Central Office for South Vietnam. In addition, the museum houses over 100 books written by or about him, as well as a collection of documentaries on his life and legacy.
Translated by Tran Hoai