 |
| General Secretary To Lam had a phone call with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping on January 15. (Source: nhandan.vn) |
On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President Xi Jinping had a phone call with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam. The two leaders jointly announced the official launch of the Year of China-Vietnam People's Exchange.
Journalist Pan Deng said that China and Vietnam are two neighbors with close ties but have also experienced ups and downs. In this context, responsible neighbors will find ways to move forward together. Interaction between the two countries is becoming more comprehensive, covering almost all areas of society and deepening mutual understanding on major issues of mutual concern.
This dynamic extends beyond state diplomacy to increasingly include ordinary citizens. The connection of minds is as important as the infrastructure and political decisions that bind nations together.
Leadership and shared vision
Journalist Pan Deng emphasized that in their recent meeting, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary To Lam stated that China and Vietnam need to continue to protect each other’s core interests, expand cooperation, and deepen the relationship between the two Parties and the two Governments. The significance of these high-level messages lies in their role in formulating feasible and effective policies for bilateral relations in the coming years.
 |
| CGTN journalist Pan Deng. |
According to CGTN journalists, the strategic vision of the leaders of the two countries is based on history and a long tradition of cooperation, emphasizing the future-oriented nature of Vietnam-China relations. Author Pan Deng believes that although official statements and documents are important, they have more influence in the daily lives of the people of the two countries.
From tangible results to the voices of the people, it can be said that this vision resonates with people in both China and Vietnam who want steady trade growth, cultural exchanges, and a peaceful environment to thrive. Farmers supplying agricultural products across borders, technology developers collaborating online, or students hoping to study at each other’s universities… All of these everyday actors play a role in ensuring that the broader political relationship between the two countries goes well.
Reporter Pan Deng said that over the years, the two countries have adapted to global changes and have reaped mutual benefits from practical and effective cooperation. Given the scope of contemporary challenges, from geopolitics, economics, environment to health, it is reasonable for the two neighbors to maintain close cooperation.
 |
| Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Ha Vi (left) and Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, attended a reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations (January 18, 1950 - January 18, 2025) organized by the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, on January 17 in Hanoi. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The importance of people-to-people exchange
The power of diplomacy lies not only in trade agreements and official visits, but also in the everyday connections that are formed between the people of both countries. Cultural festivals, sister city programmes, student exchanges and tourism highlight the human nature of the bilateral relationship, while fostering trust and laying the foundation for long-term cooperation.
Initiatives to establish friendly relations between Chinese and Vietnamese localities have yielded practical results: improving agricultural productivity, promoting environmentally friendly activities, and holding local trade fairs to introduce new goods and services to consumers. This momentum is growing. In China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region alone, 21 cities have established friendly relations with Vietnamese counterparts.
Education is another important area of cooperation. Chinese universities have welcomed many Vietnamese students. In turn, young Chinese are exploring Vietnam’s rapidly growing economy for business opportunities and learning experiences. These experiences sometimes foster personal relationships that last long after graduation, connections that help strengthen broader political ties. On the strength of such connections, the two neighbors have stressed their commitment to expanding access to scholarships, collaborative research projects, and cultural initiatives.
Cultural and tourism diplomacy
On the cultural diplomacy front, the field has contributed to expanding the ideas and goodwill of the people of both sides into performances of traditional heritage, arts and culture. For many years, China has organized Vietnamese Cultural Weeks in major cities, with performances of folk music, water puppetry and enjoying famous Vietnamese cuisine.
Vietnam has opened its doors to Chinese cultural festivals, including exhibitions on Chinese calligraphy, martial arts and folk dance... Through these events, attendees have more opportunities to explore similarities between folk traditions or common values that connect the two cultures.
Tourism also plays an important role. In recent years, more and more Chinese people have discovered the beauty of Vietnam's landscapes, cuisine and hospitality, while Vietnamese tourists have sought out diverse attractions in China's vast regions.
CGTN reporters emphasized that through such trips, exchanges and lively discussions, people can directly experience the reality of each other's lives - an experience that helps dispel rumors and foster real understanding. When families, students or visitors return home with memorable stories and respect for each other's societies, bilateral relations will gain an invisible strength that is not easily eroded.
 |
| The 10th Economic Corridor Cooperation Conference of 5 provinces and cities: Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh (Vietnam) and Yunnan (China) in November 2023. (Source: VGP) |
Digital age and human connection
Journalist Pan Deng said digital technology has changed the way neighboring countries communicate in today's world. They only need a smartphone to watch live streams or follow social media influencers across the border.
Vietnamese pop music can attract fans in China’s Guangxi and Yunnan regions, while Chinese TV dramas attract large audiences in Vietnam’s Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Through social media, university students can organize online discussion groups while entrepreneurs can share business start-up ideas across borders.
The two countries have also reached a consensus on the role of media and e-commerce in deepening the relationship. These digital connections may seem small, but they help break down stereotypes, giving people a first-hand look at each other’s lifestyles, fashion, art, and even humor.
Economic and trade cooperation
It would be incomplete to talk about China-Vietnam relations without mentioning the picture of economic cooperation. Reporter Pan Deng commented that in recent years, Vietnam has emerged as one of China's most dynamic trading partners in Southeast Asia, while China remains Vietnam's largest trading partner. Cross-border trade has skyrocketed, creating jobs and business opportunities for both sides. By 2024, trade between the two sides has exceeded the $200 billion mark for three consecutive years.
Behind those impressive figures, however, are the tireless contributions of entrepreneurs, truck drivers, factory workers and service staff… Their efforts are the factors that contribute to maintaining and promoting bilateral cooperation. Journalist Pan Deng emphasized that a sustainable partnership must ensure that growth figures are translated into tangible benefits for the people of both sides. China and Vietnam are now focusing on “balanced and sustainable” economic and trade cooperation – an important reminder that trade thrives best when there is trust, fairness and the drive to improve the living standards of people on both sides.
The role of the public
Journalist Pan Deng believes that as international conditions continue to change and new technologies reshape how publics interact, if the two countries commit to working together – sharing knowledge, respecting each other’s interests and enhancing cultural ties – they will strengthen their positions and continue to be a living example and model of how neighbors can work together toward common goals.
In particular, the future is bright for deeper educational and professional exchanges, especially as more young people seek opportunities across borders. Expanding scholarships, pursuing joint research and organising joint cultural events can ensure that both sides understand each other’s perspectives from the start.
Media coverage is also important. Newspapers, magazines, television shows and online platforms can highlight success stories and encourage others to get involved. While sensational stories of conflict sometimes dominate the headlines, positive examples of teamwork or cultural exploration can inspire younger generations to keep an open mind.
With the above argument, journalist Pan Deng believes that stories about entrepreneurs, volunteers and students will narrow the gap between China and Vietnam and such stories deserve more attention.
Journalist Pan Deng stressed that if the two countries continue to support each other’s modernization, respect their differences, and build trust at the grassroots level, they can continue to be a stabilizing force in the region. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly expressed the idea of creating a “Community of Shared Future” – an approach that encourages countries to see themselves as partners benefiting from common well-being. That broad idea resonates strongly in the context of the two neighbors, given their intertwined histories, cultural similarities, and economic complementarities.
 |
| Art exchange program between artists from Vietnam and China at Yunnan Provincial Theater, China, November 5, 2024. (Source: toquoc.vn) |
Dialogue and cooperation are the trend
Looking back at 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, reporter Pan Deng commented that it is clear that the journey of China-Vietnam relations has included both successes and challenges, but above all, perseverance and endurance. The two countries, shaped by revolutions and rapid modernization, have overcome historical rifts and continuously returned to dialogue and cooperation.
Recent high-level exchanges and contacts between the leaders of the two Parties and countries have underscored the commitment to continue strengthening bilateral relations. However, as the leaders have stressed, the real core of this friendship lies with ordinary people. They study, trade, innovate and travel across borders. It is in their everyday experiences that the words “neighbors”, “friends” and “partners” become more meaningful than ever.
Journalist Pan Deng said that leaders of the two countries can issue statements and headlines to celebrate important milestones. But every time a tourist brings home a good impression, or a student finishes a rewarding semester abroad, the foundation of China-Vietnam friendship becomes even more solid.
If both sides continue to invest in practical cooperation for mutual benefit, consistent with the vision of true neighborly goodwill, then there is every reason to hope that China and Vietnam will enjoy many more decades of peaceful, practical and productive relations in a community of shared future of strategic significance between the two countries.
Comment (0)