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President Fidel Castro and Comrade Nguyen Duc Huy in September 1973 in Quang Tri (File photo)

In September 1973, Quang Tri had just been liberated, yet it remained a frontline area between the revolutionary and enemy forces. Therefore, the leaders of the Communist Party and the State of Vietnam expressed concern for President Fidel Castro’s safety when he requested to visit the Quang Tri battlefield. Assessing that the planned reception site in Ai Tu (about one kilometer from Quang Tri Town) was potentially dangerous due to its proximity to enemy positions, Comrade Nguyen Duc Huy, who was then Second-in-Command and Chief of Staff of Division 325, responsible for the entire liberated zone, proposed relocating the meeting to Hill 241 in Cam Lo, approximately 12 kilometers from the enemy’s base.

On September 15, President Fidel Castro arrived to an enthusiastic welcome. General Huy reported on the recent fierce 81-day battle for the Quang Tri Citadel. Deeply moved, Castro praised the heroic spirit of the Vietnamese people, stating their victory inspired freedom movements worldwide. In a passionate declaration that solidified the bond between the two nations, he exclaimed, “For Vietnam, Cuba is ready to shed its own blood!” The powerful statement was met with thunderous cheers from the soldiers present.

This historic moment symbolizes the deep solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba. A photograph of General Huy shaking hands with President Castro is now a treasured artifact, preserved at the Vietnam Military History Museum and prominently displayed at the Cuban Embassy in Hanoi.

Translated by Tran Hoai