"Decoding" a precious photograph: Cuban President Fidel Castro and the Vietnamese women’s delegation

Some photographs do more than capture a moment; they preserve a piece of historical memory, serving as vivid testaments to a pure international relationship. One such image shows Cuban President Fidel Castro standing among Vietnamese women delegates in 1969. Behind what may seem like a simple photograph lies a profoundly moving story of enduring solidarity and steadfast camaraderie between two peoples separated by half the globe.

Historical context: The birth of the provisional revolutionary government

On June 6, 1969, the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam officially announced the formation of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam (PRG). This critical milestone paved the way for participation in the Four-Party Paris Peace Conference to negotiate ending the war and achieving national independence. While many countries around the world remained hesitant, Cuba became the first nation to recognize the revolutionary government of the South Vietnamese people.

Cuba’s support went well beyond diplomatic recognition. It also provided Vietnam with unconditional support both materially and morally. In this context, in August 1969, a delegation of remarkable, courageous women, representatives of the Provisional Revolutionary Government, was sent to visit Cuba. That visit became an unforgettable memory, and the photograph taken with President Fidel Castro at the Embassy of the Republic of South Vietnam in Havana stands as a historical testament to that friendship.

Faces in the photograph

At the center of the photograph stands a tall man with a full beard, dressed in an olive-green military uniform - President Fidel Castro of Cuba. His gaze is both stern and warm, as if encapsulating the profound trust and affection he held for Vietnam.

Beside him are elegant faces of the Vietnamese women delegates, many dressed in traditional white ao dai, interspersed with a few wearing simple yet dignified áo bà ba (the traditional southern Vietnamese blouse). These women were not only representatives of Southern Vietnamese women but also powerful symbols of strength, courage, and the unyielding aspiration for independence.

Among them are some historical figures

• Melba Hernandez (third from the left), the woman wearing dark sunglasses, a hero of the Moncada Barracks attack, who was imprisoned alongside Fidel Castro and later became Cuba’s first ambassador to Vietnam.
• Artist Kim Loan (fourth from the right, in a bà ba blouse) was at that time a member of the Central Committee of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam and led the Vietnamese women’s delegation on this historic visit to Cuba.
• Hoa (far right), dressed in a dark floral áo dài (Vietnamese traditional long dress), was in charge of foreign affairs for the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam.
• Phan Thi Quyen (second from the right), in a white áo dài, was the widow of hero Nguyen Van Troi, who was executed in 1964. Her presence, filled with grace and quiet strength, symbolized the unyielding spirit of women who endured significant loss yet remained steadfast in their revolutionary ideals.
• Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lien (Hai Lien) (fourth from the left, in a white áo dài) later became a senior leader in Dong Nai province. She is remembered as the delegate who received a special gift from Fidel Castro on behalf of the Vietnamese women’s delegation to deliver to Major General Nguyen Thi Dinh, a legendary figure of Vietnam’s resistance.
• The interpreter for the meeting, Truong Dinh Chieu (second from the left, next to Melba Hernandez), was a Vietnamese student in Cuba, studying Latin American literature. He played a crucial role in bridging not just the languages, but also the hearts and sentiments of two revolutionaries peoples.

Also present were embassy staff members and Vietnamese students living in Cuba, whose presence contributed to creating a warm and familial atmosphere, that bridged cultural and geographical distances.

The story behind the smile

The meeting was far more than an occasion for a commemorative photograph. Fidel Castro gave the Vietnamese women’s delegation a special reception. He inquired about the health, living conditions, and above all, the spirit of resistance among the people of South Vietnam.

Upon hearing about Major General Nguyen Thi Dinh, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation Army of South Vietnam, Fidel could not hide his admiration. In a deeply symbolic gesture, he took out the handgun at his side, the very weapon he was using, and presented it to General Định. The pistol was more than a token; it was a symbol of trust and solidarity. As General Dinh was at the frontlines and could not attend the meeting, Madam Hai Lien (Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lien) accepted the gift on her behalf, promising to deliver it personally. True to her word, upon returning to Vietnam, she presented the priceless memento from Cuba to General Nguyen Thi Dinh.

That pistol was not merely a material gift - it served as a moral encouragement and a testament to the deep, heartfelt bond between two peoples sharing the same aspiration for independence and freedom.

An unshakable bond

The affection Cuba extended to Vietnam, as seen in this photograph and story, did not begin or end in 1969. For decades, even as Cuba faced immense economic and political challenges, the island nation remained a steadfast companion to Vietnam, embodying the spirit of "helping in whatever way it can."

Today, when Vietnam calls on its people to provide aid to Cuba during difficult times, it is more than just a humanitarian act; it is a continuation of the tradition of "Helping a friend as helping ourselves." nurtured during the days of war and struggle. Looking back at that priceless photograph, we better understand why the Vietnam-Cuba relationship is often described as “special”, an unshakable friendship.

Over half a century has passed, and many of the faces in the photograph are no longer with us, but the moment it captured remains vivid and alive. It reminds us that in the most challenging times, Vietnam was never alone. By our side have always been true friends, with President Fidel Castro and the Cuban people standing as the most emblematic symbols of that enduring friendship.

That photograph not only captures a diplomatic meeting but also serves as evidence of a great friendship, a sincere and enduring international bond that has been and will continue to be an invaluable spiritual legacy for future generations.

By Hoang Dinh Nguyen - Translated by Hong Van, Thu Ha