Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm and his spouse are welcomed at the José Martí International Airport. VNA/VNS Photo

HAVANA – Mrs. Ngô Phương Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm, visited Võ Thị Thắng Primary School in Playa district of Havana on September 26 morning (local time) within the framework of the Vietnamese top leader's state visit to Cuba.

Ly was accompanied by Lis Cuesta Peraza, spouse of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez, and Cuban Minister of Education Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto.

Established in late 1968 by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and the Cuban Council of State, the school stands as a testament to Cuba's unwavering support for Việt Nam during its struggle for national liberation. Its establishment was inspired by the iconic "Victory Smile" photo that circulated globally, serving as a powerful gesture of solidarity against the unjust war in Việt Nam.

Maria Elena de la Rosa Vidal, Rector of the school, vowed to improve its facilities and teaching quality to meet expectations of the Vietnamese Party, State and people and honour the special friendship between the two countries.

Ly expressed her deep emotion upon visiting the school named after heroic Vietnamese revolutionary Võ Thị Thắng for the first time.

She was touched by the heartfelt affection shown by Cuban teachers and students, describing the school as a vivid representation of the enduring relationship and special bond between Việt Nam and Cuba.

Expressing her delight at the achievements of the Võ Thị Thắng Primary School in recent academic years, Ly extended her best wishes for the continued success of the school’s managers, teachers and students. She encouraged them to strive for excellence in teaching and learning, equipping themselves with the knowledge needed to become future leaders who will contribute to the growth and prosperity of Cuba.

Ly emphasised the importance of carrying forward the legacy of previous generations and further nurturing the faithful and enduring solidarity between Việt Nam and Cuba.

She also expressed her hope that the school would continue to uphold its tradition, inherit the revolutionary cause of Cuban predecessors, and consistently foster the faithful solidarity between the two countries.

On this occasion, she presented the school and its students with various teaching aids and learning materials.

On the same day, Ly and Cuesta Peraza visited the El Arca Puppet Theater and Museum. VNS