Hanoi's skyline tells a story of partnership: the soaring tracks of Metro Line 2A, Vietnam's first urban light rail system built by Chinese firms, have become a lifeline for 35 million commuters since 2025. This steel-and-concrete symbol of cooperation mirrors the broader narrative of China-Vietnam relations, now entering their 75th year with deepening economic integration and cultural bonds.
From Revolutionary Allies to Strategic Partners
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping's recent visit to Hanoi – his fourth state trip to Vietnam – underscored seven decades of “comrades and brothers” solidarity. The 2023 establishment of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future now anchors bilateral trade exceeding $260 billion annually, accounting for a third of Vietnam's total commerce.
Economic Symbiosis in Action
Vietnamese durian exports to China surged to $2.67B in 2024
Chinese investment stock in Vietnam reached $27.82B by 2023
New cross-border Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall tourism project operationalized
Xi emphasized during meetings with CPV General Secretary To Lam that such collaboration delivers “stability and certainty” amid global turbulence. Over 3.7 million Chinese tourists visited Vietnam in 2024, while 75.9% of Vietnamese youth regularly consume Chinese cultural content, surveys show.
Roadmap for the Next Generation
As the neighbors celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties, Xi urged continued focus on shared development strategies. “Our task,” he stated, “is to pass this enduring friendship to younger generations through deeper cultural exchanges.” With rail lines moving commuters and data lines moving digital content, the partnership appears firmly on track.
