Havana/More than 16,000 kilometers away from the Island of Blackouts, the Vietnamese have responded to the regime’s call for solidarity with the enthusiasm of a charity marathon. The campaign launched by the Vietnam Red Cross closed with more than 21 million dollars raised to “support the Cuban people,” according to preliminary figures released this Friday in Hanoi.
The collection, which began on August 13 to commemorate the 99th birthday of the late Fidel Castro, took place in the context of the so-called “Year of Vietnam-Cuba Friendship” and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both nations. The chosen date symbolically appeals to the feelings and the pocket.
According to the organizers, until 8:00 p.m. last Thursday they had received more than two million individual and collective contributions, which totaled some 555.8 billion Vietnamese dongs (equivalent to more than 21.1 million dollars). The initial goal of 65 billion dong (about $2.4 million) was surpassed in just 30 hours. Cuba, accustomed to “passing the hat” in search of international solidarity, this time did not have to wait long to see the miracle.
In a post Facebook, the Vietnamese Red Cross spoke of a “special journey” of compassion and gratitude between both peoples. “The good emotions he leaves behind will surely echo for a long time in the hearts of all Vietnamese,” the organization wrote. However, when planning their trips, not many Vietnamese choose Cuba as a tourist destination.
No clear details have been provided on how or when those funds will be distributed.
On the same social network, Vietnamese citizens expressed their enthusiasm for participating in the collection. “The affection of the Vietnamese towards the people of Cuba is incredible and impressive,” wrote Pham Tran Hoa. The campaign will have its official closing this Saturday, when in addition to thanking the donations, the prizes for the musical composition contest will be awarded. Vietnam-Cuba: Song of friendship that resonates forever.
President of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, Do Hong Quan, said during the contest announcement: “We have a priceless treasure: the talent, artistic creativity, heart and emotion of the artist.” A treasure that, in his vision, will serve to compose immortal songs and reinforce a bridge of friendship that has been built for decades on slogans, symbolic exchanges and speeches about the “socialist brotherhood.”
The ambassador of Havana in Hanoi, Rogelio Polanco, will be present at the closing ceremony, who will not sing, but will take steps so that the Cuban people can enjoy the revolutionary singer Nguyen Huong Giang, who is also a lieutenant colonel in his country’s Army.
Although officially the money raised is to “support the Cuban people,” no clear details have been offered about how or when these funds will be distributed. In the past, part of international aid has ended up being diluted in bureaucracy, prioritizing state companies or institutions related to the Government before the population. Experience has taught them that the path between a donation and an empty refrigerator is often long and full of ideological obstacles.
