Vietnam, Cuba broadcast 1st special documentary
The documentary shows that Vietnam is not only a leading global rice exporter but also a nation willing to share knowledge and experience to support Cuba’s food security.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam Television’s VTV1 and Cuba’s Canal Caribe news channel will premiere the first special documentary on the night of September 2 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day.
The one-hour documentary titled “Seeds of Happiness” will be broadcast simultaneously in both countries at 20:10 on September 2 (Vietnam time) on VTV1, and at 09:10 on the same day (Cuba time) on Canal Caribe.
The team of the VTV special documentary “Seeds of Happiness” with Cuban friends in a rice field in Cuba. Photo: VTV
According to Tu Luong, one of the film’s producers, the special broadcast is particularly meaningful as the values of independence, freedom and happiness achieved by Vietnam 80 years ago continue to resonate around the world.
"With its direct and heartfelt cinematic storytelling, accompanied by carefully curated footage, photographs, music and historical documents, the documentary is expected to offer an emotional and humanistic experience in commemoration of Vietnam's National Day," said Luong.
“Seeds of Happiness” features the lives of Vietnamese and Cuban farmers working together in rice cultivation in Los Palacios District, Cuba's Pinar del Río Province.
It highlights the work of Vietnamese agricultural engineers in Cuba, who contributed their expertise to cultivating new rice varieties, including the hybrid CT16, which helped to increase Cuba’s rice production.
According to Cuba's newswire Cubadebate, with support from Cuba’s Institute of Information and Social Communication, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Havana, the film is a testament to the friendship between the Cuban and Vietnamese people, who have stood side by side through challenging times.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez welcomed by Vietnamese people at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi upon his arrival on August 31. Photo: VNA
On September 2 in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man welcomed Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba, during his visit to Vietnam to join the country’s grand National Day celebration.
The Vietnamese leaders said that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always appreciate Cuba's support during wartime, are determined to deepen their special friendship with Cuba, and remain committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with the Cuban people in their revolutionary cause.
On September 1, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and President Luong Cuong met Secretary Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
In the context of the two nations marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960 - 2025), President Díaz-Canel described the occasion as a new historical milestone, reflecting the enduring friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.
He praised Vietnam’s recent socio-economic and diplomatic achievements, expressing his deep impression of the heroic atmosphere, broad public participation in the celebration, and the warm welcome extended to the Cuban delegation.
The president also expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s practical support in areas including agriculture and food security, renewable energy, and for the aid campaign for Cuba on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which reflects the long-standing and sincere friendship between the two sides.
The leaders agreed to foster joint ventures and technology transfer in pharmaceuticals, promote high-tech R&D in Vietnam, and enhance cooperation in defense, security, justice, science-technology, construction, culture, sports, and people-to-people exchanges.
On September 1, Vietnam handed over VND385 billion (US$14.6 million) that the Vietnamese people donated to Cuban friends. It's the first batch of the aid campaign and the next donation will be given to the Cuban people soon.
