Vietnam sends condolences to Cuba over passing of revolutionary icon Fidel Castro   Fidel Castro speaks during a visit to Luanda, Angola in March 1984. Reuters Vietnamese leaders sent their message of condolences to Cuba on Saturday over the death of revolutionary icon Fidel Castro one day earlier. “The Vietnamese leaders and people are deeply mournful and moved to learn that comrade Fidel Castro, former First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, former Chairman of the State Council and Council of Ministers, a great leader of the Cuban people, and an unyielding communist and revolutionary leader of Latin American nations and the struggle movement for peace and national independence, freedom and socialism, passed away on November 25 [at the age of 90],” the message reads.  Fidel Castro devoted all his life to Cuba’s revolutionary cause, toppling the dictatorial regime and bringing the Cuban people to the era of independence and freedom since January 1959, according to the message. The icon lifted Cuba out of poverty to become a typical example of education, healthcare, sports, culture, and biotechnology for other developing countries, it said. Reuters said, “his government improved the living conditions of the very poor, achieved health and literacy levels on a par with rich countries and rid Cuba of a powerful Mafia presence.” The new agency added that Fidel Castro also won friends by “sending tens of thousands of Cuban doctors abroad to treat the poor and bringing young people from developing countries to train them as physicians.” The Vietnamese message said that as a leader of Cuba’s revolution for more than half a century, Fidel Castro has always been a close comrade and brother of the Vietnamese leaders and people.   He has always stood side by side with Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence and reunification as well as current national development, the message reads. The message continued, “Fidel’s immortal saying ‘For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to devote blood’ is always in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.”  Cuba has lost an unyieding, brave, and seasoned leader while Vietnam has lost a very close and dear comrade and fellow fighter, the message said. “We believe that in this sorrowful moment, the Cuban communists and people will continue to unite under the leadership of the glorious Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, headed by President Raul Castro, to fulfill the wishes of the late leader Fidel Castro, firmly safeguarding national independence and sovereignty as well as successfully building socialism in free and beautiful Cuba,” the message reads. TUOI TRE NEWS