As part of diplomatic activities to promote international cooperation, on the morning of January 10, at the Headquarters of the Hai Phong Party Committee, Mr. Le Tien Chau, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee, and Head of Hai Phong’s National Assembly Delegation, hosted a reception and working session with H.E. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Vietnam. Also attending the meeting were Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee, along with representatives of relevant municipal departments and agencies.
During the reception, Secretary Le Tien Chau warmly welcomed and highly appreciated Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes’s visit and working session in Hai Phong. He emphasized that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam—including those of Hai Phong—have always cherished and remembered the invaluable support and assistance that Cuba extended to Vietnam during the struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as in the current cause of national development and defense. He expressed his belief that, with the Ambassador’s extensive diplomatic experience and deep affection for Vietnam, he will continue to make meaningful contributions to nurturing the loyal and close-knit relationship between the two nations and vigorously promoting cooperation between Hai Phong and Cuban localities and partners.
Secretary Chau gave an overview of Hai Phong City, highlighting its socio-economic development potential, modern and synchronous transport infrastructure, international seaport and airport connectivity, and impressive achievements in attracting foreign investment. He expressed hope that, in his role as a bridge between the two countries, the Ambassador would actively support and promote partnerships between Hai Phong and Cuban localities and partners across various sectors. In particular, Hai Phong seeks to strengthen people-to-people exchanges, establish sister-city relations, and share experiences with Cuban localities that have similar conditions. The city is also eager to expand cooperation in education, agriculture, healthcare, medical services, and tourism.
H.E. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes expressed sincere thanks for the warm reception extended by Hai Phong’s leaders. The Ambassador shared his deep admiration for the city’s heroic wartime legacy, dynamic and creative approach to economic development, and rich cultural traditions. He affirmed that Cuban localities are eager to enhance exchanges and learn from Hai Phong’s experience in developing industrial zones, economic zones, and attracting foreign investment. He also suggested that Hai Phong enterprises consider exploring investment and business expansion opportunities in Cuba.
In celebration of the upcoming 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba (December 2, 1960 – December 2, 2025), Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes proposed that both sides intensify delegation exchanges, strengthen local-level cooperation, and explore the possibility of establishing a sister-city relationship between Hai Phong and a Cuban locality. Such initiatives, he noted, would help deepen comprehensive, effective, and sustainable cooperation across multiple fields.