Vietnamese landmarks in Havana

The memories and images of Vietnam remain vivid in many Cubans’ minds. Echoing from a primary school in Havana in every first lesson of the week is a song about Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh. Established in 1973, this school is named after the great Vietnamese President. The pictures of President Ho Chi Minh are respectfully hung in every classroom together with Cuban national hero, Jose Marti.

Rosa Lebren Calderon, Principal of Ho Chi Minh Primary School in Havana, said: "We always commemorate historical events that relate to President Ho Chi Minh’s life, and Vietnam’s revolutions. We teach all of our pupils about Vietnamese history".

Another school that is named after a Vietnamese hero is Vo Thi Thang Primary School in Havana. Vo Thi Thang, a hero of Vietnamese people’s armed forces, was a former member of the Party Central Committee, former head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, and the former Chairwoman of Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association.

Another Vietnamese landmark in Havana is a statue of President Ho Chi Minh constructed in 2003. The statue of Ho Chi Minh is a source of local pride. Pupils from local schools often gather here and sing songs about President Ho Chi Minh.

Many years have passed, yet the images and memories of President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese people still remain special for many Cuban people. These aspects of Vietnam in Havana have been well preserved, being precious treasures of both nations.