Vuong Dinh Hue, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of that Asian nation and president of its National Assembly, presented the award.

It is a recognition of Lazo’s merits and important achievements in the consolidation of relations between the Communist Parties, National Assemblies and the peoples of both countries, the award said.

The Vietnamese leader also decorated the vice president of the Parliament of the island, Ana Maria Mari; the secretary of that body, Homero Acosta, and the president of the International Relations Committee of the legislature, Yolanda Ferrer, with the Order of Friendship.

On behalf of all the honorees, Lazo expressed his gratitude and said he felt honored and committed to receive such a high distinction, which he accepted on behalf of the Cuban people who are united from the roots to Vietnam.

He recalled that National Hero José Martí was the first to speak of the greatness of that nation and he did so addressing the children, to whom he spoke of those immense men and women of immense heart, whose hard work, bravery and self-sacrifice transcend centuries. He pointed out the coincidence that May 19 was the day on which Martí fell in combat for the independence of the island (1895) and also the date of birth of the exceptional revolutionary Ho Chi Minh (1890), who led his people in the successful confrontation with external aggressors.

He pointed out that many years later the friendship between the two countries was consolidated thanks to the historic leaders Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro.

Lazo highlighted the human values of the Vietnamese hero, who demonstrated that the war of all the people is invincible and that imperialism could be defeated despite its enormous military might.

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