21.   Vietnam and Cuba are longtime ideological allies, and have sought to reinforce their relationship since the collapse of the former Soviet Union.

22.   Observers said the arrangement enabled Beijing to save face with its old ideological ally Pyongyang.

23.   The agreement, the details of which were not made public, covers diplomatic and military cooperation between the two former ideological allies, Vietnamese sources say.

24.   The agreement, the details of which were not made public, covers diplomatic and military cooperation between the two former ideological allies, Vietnamese sources said.