HAVANA – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyễn Phú Trọng on Wednesday (local time) laid a floral wreath at the President Hồ Chí Minh Monument in the Hòa Bình (Peace) Park upon his arrival in Havana capital city for a State visit to Cuba. 

The monument is located in the 5,600 square-metres Hòa Bình Park on the Avenue 26, Nuevo Vedado in the downtown of Havana. It was inaugurated on May 19, 2003 to mark the 113th birthday of the late President. 
Lazara Mecerdes Lospes Acea, Vice President of the Council of State and First Secretary of the Havana City Party Committee, staff and local residents in Nuevo Vedado area, Revolution Square district were also present at the event. 
Later the same day, Party General Secretary Trọng met with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnamese community in Cuba. 
He updated the participants on Việt Nam’s socio-economic development, achievements over the past year as well as the goals and measures the Party and State are implementing to ensure the nation’s rapid and sustainable growth, as well as to build the strong and transparent Party and political system. 
The Party leader hailed the efforts made by officials and staff of the embassy for overcoming difficulties and promoting solidarity and sense of responsibility to fulfil their tasks, including their thorough preparations for his four-day State visit to Cuba from March 28. 
They have made active contribution to effectively implementing cooperation agreements between senior leaders of the two countries, thus further deepening the Việt Nam – Cuba special relations. 
Party General Secretary Trọng is on a State visit to Cuba at the invitation of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz. 
This is the first high-level meeting between the two countries after the passing away of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro Ruz in 2016, and also the Vietnamese Party chief’s first visit to Latin-America following the 12th National Congress of the CPV the same year. 
Since the two countries set up diplomatic ties in December 1960, their solidarity, mutual support and comprehensive cooperation have been strengthened. – VNS