From binge-watching historical dramas to swapping viral pop songs, young people in the Chinese mainland and Vietnam are rewriting regional cultural connections through shared passions. Recent years have seen Chinese TV series like The Untamed and costume epics dominate Vietnamese streaming charts, while Vietnamese indie artists like tlinh and Đen Vâu now count millions of fans across Chinese social platforms.
"We subtitled our latest single in Mandarin within hours of release—the response was overwhelming," shares Hanoi-based musician Minh Anh, whose fusion of traditional đàn tranh zither melodies with hip-hop beats has gained traction among Gen Z listeners in Shanghai and Chengdu.
The trend extends beyond screens and speakers. Night markets in Kunming now feature Vietnamese bánh mì stalls run by entrepreneurs from Hanoi, while Saigon cafes increasingly offer Sichuan pepper-spiced lattes. "Food is our universal language," notes culinary vlogger Li Wei, who documented his 2,000 km motorcycle food tour through northern Vietnam last spring.
Analysts observe that these organic exchanges contrast with state-led cultural initiatives. "Young people are bypassing historical complexities," says Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong, a Ho Chi Minh City University sociologist. "They\'re bonding over TikToks and bubble tea trends—it\'s grassroots diplomacy."
