Người Việt đi nửa vòng trái đất tới Cuba để gieo "hạt thóc hạnh phúc" | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Vietnam-Cuba Solidarity: The strong historical and contemporary relationship between Vietnam and Cuba, characterized by mutual support and gratitude.
• CT16 Rice Variety: A Vietnamese rice strain successfully cultivated in Cuba, significantly improving agricultural yields.
• Agricultural Cooperation: The technical assistance provided by Vietnamese agricultural experts to Cuba, overcoming challenging conditions.
• Cultural Exchange: The shared values and cultural connections between the Vietnamese and Cuban people, fostering a strong bond.
• Resilience & Optimism: The enduring spirit of both Vietnamese and Cuban people in the face of adversity.

The Vietnam-Cuba Bond: A Story of Rice, Resilience, and Friendship

The broadcast highlights the deep and enduring relationship between Vietnam and Cuba, focusing on a recent agricultural project centered around the Vietnamese CT16 rice variety. It showcases not only technical cooperation but also the profound human connection between the two nations.

Historical Context & Mutual Support

The program begins by emphasizing the high regard Vietnamese people hold in international perception, specifically their friendliness and welcoming nature. This is immediately linked to a significant display of Vietnamese solidarity with Cuba: a nationwide fundraising effort that, as of October 2025, has surpassed 615 billion Vietnamese Dong (VND) to aid Cuba in overcoming its current economic and material hardships. This act is presented as a demonstration of gratitude for Cuba’s past support of Vietnam and a desire to reciprocate during Cuba’s time of need. The speaker references a poem by Tố Hữu, "Em ạ, Cuba," evoking a nostalgic vision of a flourishing Cuba.

The CT16 Rice Project: Overcoming Challenges

The core of the program focuses on the implementation of the CT16 rice variety in Cuba. The project aimed to address food security issues in Cuba by introducing a high-yield rice strain. The narrative details the significant challenges faced by the Vietnamese agricultural team, including dilapidated infrastructure, limited access to electricity and water, and the prevalence of diseases like dengue fever and allergies.

The initial skepticism of Cuban farmers is also addressed. They were accustomed to traditional, less efficient farming methods – dry seeding rather than the wet-rice cultivation techniques favored by the Vietnamese team. The Vietnamese experts, led by Phạm Ngọc Tú and Nguyễn Trọng Đại, patiently demonstrated the benefits of their approach, working alongside Cuban farmers. Initial yields were low (2-3 tons per hectare), but with the introduction of CT16 and improved techniques, yields increased to 6-7 tons per hectare – a more than doubling of productivity.

A Cuban farmer’s testimonial, delivered in Spanish ("juntos trabajamos juntos estamos luchando juntos estamos luchando juntos estamos muy contentos porque tenemos el arroz que que no nos puede faltar a los cubanos fundamental en la mesa de de los cubanos y de verdad que este proyecto de Vietnam en Cuba ha sido una bendición para el pueblo de Cuba"), underscores the project’s success and the gratitude of the Cuban people. The first harvest of CT16 rice was described as a deeply emotional moment for Cuban farmers, who embraced the bountiful harvest.

Personal Sacrifices & Cultural Immersion

The program doesn’t shy away from detailing the personal sacrifices made by the Vietnamese experts. They faced health challenges, including dengue fever, allergies, and insect bites, while working in Cuba. Despite these hardships, they remained committed to the project, motivated by a sense of duty and a desire to help their Cuban counterparts.

The Vietnamese team also embraced Cuban culture, participating in local traditions like dancing the oneanera (demonstrated on air with a guest appearance by actress Hồng Diễm). They also adopted the Cuban practice of a weekly flag-raising ceremony, joining their Cuban colleagues in honoring both the Vietnamese and Cuban flags – a symbol of their shared commitment and solidarity.

Interviews with the Experts: Phạm Ngọc Tú & Nguyễn Trọng Đại

Kỹ sư Phạm Ngọc Tú and Kỹ sư Nguyễn Trọng Đại, the lead experts, were interviewed. They shared their experiences, noting they arrived in Cuba in 2012 and 2022 respectively, with a combined total of approximately 6 years spent continuously in Cuba. They described the initial shock of witnessing Cuba’s dilapidated infrastructure and the severe economic difficulties faced by the population.

They explained the process of gaining the trust of Cuban farmers, emphasizing the importance of hands-on collaboration and demonstrating the tangible benefits of the CT16 rice variety. They also shared their limited but functional proficiency in Spanish, offering a humorous example of translating "Thụy Vân is very beautiful" ("Thị Vân rất xinh đẹp" translates to "bôit cái bita Vân là Thị Vân rất là đẹp").

Shared Values & Enduring Friendship

The experts highlighted the strong cultural affinity between Vietnam and Cuba, noting the warmth and hospitality of the Cuban people. They observed that Cubans rarely engage in conflict and possess a remarkable spirit of optimism and joy, even in the face of hardship. They described how readily Cubans joined them in the flag-raising ceremony, demonstrating a shared sense of respect and camaraderie.

Conclusion: A Symbol of Vietnamese Character

The program concludes by reaffirming the image of Vietnamese people as industrious, intelligent, and compassionate. It emphasizes that wherever the Vietnamese flag flies, it represents the nation’s achievements, resilience, and unwavering spirit. The success of the CT16 rice project in Cuba is presented as a powerful example of Vietnam’s commitment to international solidarity and its ability to make a positive impact on the world.

Technical Terms & Concepts:

• CT16: A high-yield Vietnamese rice variety.
• Hectare (ha): A unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters, commonly used in agriculture.
• Oneanera: A traditional Cuban dance.
• VND (Vietnamese Dong): The official currency of Vietnam.
• Wet-rice cultivation: A method of rice farming where fields are flooded with water.
• Dry seeding: A method of rice farming where seeds are sown into dry soil.