Published: 11:12 AM, 20 August 2026
Russian Language Is Still Taught in Schools Across Cuba and Vietnam
Decades after the end of the Cold War, the Russian language continues to hold a distinctive place in the educational and cultural landscapes of Cuba and Vietnam. Although English has become the dominant foreign language in much of the world, Russian remains available in schools and universities in both countries, reflecting decades of political, educational, and cultural ties with the former Soviet Union. The continued teaching of Russian is a reminder that international relationships can leave a lasting imprint on education. During the Cold War, Moscow developed close partnerships with Havana and Hanoi, providing scholarships, technical training, educational assistance, and opportunities for students to study in the Soviet Union. Thousands of Cubans and Vietnamese therefore became familiar with Russian, creating generations of teachers, engineers, scientists, military specialists, and professionals who could communicate in the language.
In Cuba, the connection has particularly deep historical roots. Following the Cuban Revolution, relations between Havana and Moscow expanded rapidly. The Soviet Union became Cuba's principal economic and political partner, and Russian became an important foreign language for students seeking access to Soviet educational institutions and technical literature. Cuban students were offered opportunities to study in the Soviet Union in fields ranging from medicine and engineering to science and agriculture.
Many returned home with degrees and professional experience, as well as knowledge of Russian. This educational exchange helped establish Russian-language teaching as part of Cuba's academic tradition.
Although the Soviet Union disappeared in 1991, the linguistic links did not disappear with it. Russian continues to be taught in some Cuban educational institutions, particularly at the higher-education level. The University of Havana has maintained Russian-language and Russian-studies activities, while cultural organizations have continued to promote Russian literature and language.
The attraction is not solely historical. Russian remains useful for students interested in science, technology, literature, international relations, and tourism. Cuba also continues to maintain close relations with Russia, and the return of large numbers of Russian visitors has created practical reasons for some Cubans to learn the language.
Russian culture has also retained a strong presence in Cuba. The works of writers such as Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anton Chekhov have long been available to Spanish-speaking readers. Soviet films, music, literature, and educational materials once formed a significant part of Cuban cultural life, leaving memories that continue among older generations.
Vietnam's relationship with Russian is similarly rooted in its history. During the Vietnam War and the decades that followed, the Soviet Union was one of Vietnam's most important political, economic, and military partners. Soviet assistance contributed significantly to Vietnam's industrial and educational development, and thousands of Vietnamese students received training in Soviet universities.
Russian became particularly important among Vietnamese students preparing to study in the Soviet Union. Universities and specialized schools taught the language to students who would later pursue degrees in engineering, science, medicine, economics, and other disciplines.
After the Soviet Union collapsed, English rapidly became more important in Vietnam as the country opened its economy and expanded international trade. Nevertheless, Russian did not disappear completely. It remains taught at some schools and universities and continues to be available as a foreign-language option.
Vietnam's continuing interest in Russian is also connected to contemporary relations with Moscow. Russia remains an important partner in areas such as energy, defense, science, education, and tourism. Vietnamese students interested in studying in Russia can benefit from knowledge of the language, while businesses and institutions engaged in bilateral cooperation need people capable of communicating in Russian.
For younger generations, however, the motivation for learning Russian can be very different from that of their grandparents. During the Soviet era, Russian was often associated with educational opportunity and political partnership. Today, students may approach it as an additional foreign language that can provide access to universities, employment opportunities, culture, or travel.
The survival of Russian in Cuba and Vietnam also illustrates how languages can outlive the political systems that once promoted them. The Soviet Union no longer exists, but the educational networks it established remain visible. Teachers trained decades ago passed their knowledge to younger generations, universities retained language programs, and cultural institutions continued to preserve literary and linguistic connections.
At the same time, Russian faces competition from English and other widely used international languages. In both Cuba and Vietnam, English offers broader opportunities in global business, higher education, tourism, technology, and communication. As a result, Russian is unlikely to occupy the same dominant position it once held.
Nevertheless, its continued presence is significant. Language is more than a means of communication; it is also a record of history. The Russian language in Cuban and Vietnamese classrooms represents a living connection to an era when Moscow exercised enormous political and cultural influence across the developing world.
Today, Havana and Hanoi pursue independent foreign policies shaped by new economic realities and global partnerships. Yet the Russian language remains part of their educational heritage. Its continued teaching demonstrates that historical relationships do not vanish overnight. They survive in books, classrooms, universities, memories, and the generations of students who continue to learn the language.
For Cuba and Vietnam, Russian may no longer be the language of a powerful political alliance, but it remains a bridge to an important chapter of their modern history - and, for some students, a bridge to new educational and professional opportunities in the future.
