Vietnam expands renewable energy and rice deals in Cuba's Mariel zone

Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel visits the Los Palacios Grain Company in Pinar del Río, highlighting Cuba–Vietnam cooperation. (Cuba Palace of the Revolution)

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung paid an official visit to Cuba from June 20 to 22, acting on behalf of Vietnamese General Secretary and President Tô Lâm.

During that occasion, the Special Envoy met Cuban leaders, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.

Vietnam reaffirmed its solidarity with Cuba, supporting Havana’s domestic reform and pledging cooperation at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

In economic cooperation, Vietnam is now the second-largest business presence in Cuba’s Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM), with projects in industry, food and agricultural production, renewable energy, and economic sectors. Alongside this, Vietnam was also willing to enlarge cooperation and investment in the special economic zone.

Alongside this, both countries’ joint rice production project in Pinar del Río has expanded to 900 hectares, showing positive results and potential for further growth, highlighting Vietnam as the leading Asian investor, particularly in agriculture, food production, and renewable energy.

The visit also coincided with the 100^th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s birth, with both sides pledging commemorative events and enhanced people-to-people exchanges.

For Vietnam, expanding relations with the island-state is an attempt to diversify overseas partnerships, channeling investment flow to Cuba’s economic zone. With bilateral trades accounting for 200 million US dollars, Vietnam leverages its economic resources into Cuba’s development zones. Moreover, Hanoi-Havana relations demonstrate solidarity among socialist states.

Conversely, for Cuba, Vietnam’s willingness to invest in renewable energy and food in its country marks a critical support amid the US embargo.

Clearly, as it is seen, the cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba reflects a more cordial relationship among Global South peers. Aside from being one of the representatives of ASEAN, Vietnam can expand the bloc’s footprint by positioning itself as a reliable partner for Cuba.