The Cuban work delegation that visited Vietnam was presided over by Anamaris Solorzano Chacón, Head of Institutional Communication Office of the Ministry of Communications. They visited the Saigon innovation HUB in Ho Chi Minh City where they held an exchange on technology development.

A genuine relationship

HANOI, Vietnam - The road leading to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, in this city, borders an installation in which simplicity is shown to the visitor with unique beauty. Trees and plants from all over Vietnam, planted in numbers of 79, symbolize the age of the leader of this country's independence when death caught him, and accompany him on his way to the enclosure where his remains rest.

Uncle Ho's image will probably be with me for the rest of my life. However, what struck me the most about the place was the house where the president of the first free and independent Vietnam lived. A symbol of modesty and total commitment to the people, who had to face invaders of all kinds, thirsty to continue with the exploitation of this noble part of the world.

The Mausoleum is one of a series of museums that also houses the former presidential palace, Ho Chi Minh's home and a memorial that traces his life chronologically. In the latter, a phrase to remember: "My duty is like that of a helmsman who must safely navigate his ship, the Homeland, through storms, to take the people to the shores of happiness.

That is what Vietnam has fought for for the last few decades. A country that, despite its distance, has a special relationship with an archipelago more than 15,000 kilometers away from its coasts.

If one thing is clear to a Creole in the land of the Anamites, it is that Vietnam loves Cuba. The history that unites our peoples has cemented a relationship of brotherhood that is palpable when speaking with the inhabitants of this ancient land.

This was confirmed by the Cuban delegation that arrived in this city to learn about the advances in technology that Vietnam has had in recent years. "Welcome to Vietnam, it's an honor for us to have you here," was Luc's greeting, who took care of accommodating us and being our guide on the first day, always with an authentic smile.

Perhaps you might think that protocol indicates a certain kindness and smile is imposed, but authentic affection is not possible to fake. Luc's happy expression has repeated over and over every time a certain word has been mentioned: Cuba, which by itself has led to three others: Fidel Castro Ruz.

Vietnamese of all ages know of the visit of the leader of the Cuban Revolution to these lands, and many are preparing to deepen the ties between the two countries even further when six decades of diplomatic relations will be established in 2020.

''Cuba can always count on Vietnam", told us Le Cong Tien, director general for America,  when he welcomed us at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Something similar has been reaffirmed in companies and other government institutions, such as the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam.

Hang's kindness, Maria's continuous explanations or Nam's contagious happiness are not just memories for this visiting chronicler. They are a living example of how two culturally different nations can forge lifelong bonds based on mutual respect and understanding. The world needs more relationships like the one Cuba and Vietnam treasure. We would actually live in a better planet.