This past Saturday, Vietnam unveiled the Fidel Castro Ruz Bamboo Garden at the historic Cu Chi Tunnels site in Ho Chi Minh City. This event forms part of the Cuban regime's propaganda efforts surrounding the centenary of the Cuban dictator.
As reported by the state-run Cuban agency Prensa Latina, 100 bamboo plants were cultivated in tribute to the leader of the Cuban Revolution, who was born on August 13, 1926.
The event, orchestrated by the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, alongside the historical Cu Chi Tunnels site, features a stone marker that reads: “COMMEMORATING THE CENTENARY OF THE BIRTH OF CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO RUZ (AUGUST 13, 1926 - AUGUST 13, 2026). Cu Chi Tunnels Historic Site, August 29, 2026.”
Truong Thi Hien, president of the association, hailed Castro as “a great friend of the Vietnamese people” and stated the bamboo was planted to “commemorate and pay homage” to his legacy.
Symbolic Location for Tribute
The Cu Chi Tunnels, chosen as the location for this tribute, are an iconic symbol of Vietnamese resistance: a vast underground network stretching over 200 kilometers, utilized by the Viet Cong during the conflict against the United States.
This event is part of a series of international tributes for Castro's centenary, with the Cuban regime designating 2026 as the “Year of the Centenary of the Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.”
Celebrations Amidst Cuba's Struggles
These commemorations included the First International Colloquium “Fidel: Legacy and Future,” which attracted over 1,500 delegates from 63 countries to Havana from August 10 to 13, and the public appearance of Raúl Castro on August 14 at the Karl Marx Theater.
The stark contrast with the situation faced by ordinary Cubans is undeniable. While bamboo is planted in Vietnam and colloquiums are held in Havana, Cuba has experienced at least seven complete collapses of its National Electroenergy System in 2026 alone—12 over nearly 24 months—leaving 72% of the nation without power simultaneously between August 26 and 27.
The electricity generation deficit hit a record 2,411 MW on August 4, and Cuba’s economy has contracted by 23% to 26% since 2019-2020, with GDP expected to fall by between -6.5% (CEPAL) and -7.2% (EIU) in 2026.
The Cuban peso has depreciated over 55% in eight months, dropping from 435 pesos per dollar in December 2025 to over 670 pesos by July-August 2026. Meanwhile, shortages of food, medicine, and fuel continue to plague the island, with the regime failing to provide real solutions for its people.
Understanding Cuba's Economic and Energy Crisis
What are the Cu Chi Tunnels?
The Cu Chi Tunnels are an extensive underground network spanning over 200 kilometers, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War as a strategic base of operations and a symbol of Vietnamese resistance.
How has the Cuban peso been affected in 2026?
In 2026, the Cuban peso has suffered a depreciation exceeding 55%, with its value falling from 435 pesos per dollar in December 2025 to over 670 pesos by July-August 2026, exacerbating the economic challenges on the island.
What is the significance of the bamboo garden in Vietnam?
The bamboo garden in Vietnam serves as a tribute to Fidel Castro, acknowledging his relationship with the Vietnamese people and marking the centenary of his birth as part of a series of international celebrations orchestrated by the Cuban regime.