Three key implications of Vietnam’s General Secretary and State President To Lam’s state visit to China

Vietnam’s General Secretary and State President To Lam, together with his spouse and a high-level delegation, will undertake a state visit to China from April 14 to 17, at the invitation of General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and his wife. The visit is described as carrying three special meanings as both countries enter new development phases.

New start as both countries enter new development phases

First, the visit marks a new start in bilateral relations as Vietnam and China move into a new era of development. Vietnam is entering a new development period following the successful 14th National Congress, while China is implementing its 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development. The decision to schedule the visit soon is presented as reflecting top-level regard and determination to build a relationship that is “comrade and brotherly” in a more sustainable, stable, and substantive way.

Elevating strategic ties and setting new cooperation directions

Second, the visit is an opportunity to elevate strategic ties and set a new height for relations between the two Parties and two countries. The top leaders are expected to determine new directions and breakthroughs across economic-trade-investment and tourism cooperation, supply chain cooperation, production chains, education and training, science and technology, with the aim of supporting each country’s growth and development goals.

Strengthening political trust and people-to-people exchanges

Third, the visit is expected to strengthen political trust, promote solutions to resolve remaining differences and obstacles, and enhance people-to-people exchanges and local cooperation. The article says these efforts will help make the bilateral relationship more stable and sustainable, contributing positively to peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and beyond.

Deputy foreign minister: first To Lam state visit in role, following Xi’s visit

The article includes the view of Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu on the significance of the visit. He said it is the first state visit by General Secretary To Lam in his capacity as the top leader of the Party and the State, taking place exactly one year after General Secretary Xi Jinping’s state visit to Vietnam. He also noted it is the third time in less than two years that the top leaders of the two Parties and countries have conducted bilateral visits.

Recent dynamics in Vietnam–China relations

The article highlights a range of areas in Vietnam–China relations, including political trust, high-level exchanges, diplomatic coordination, and defense-security cooperation. It places particular emphasis on the economic-trade-investment dimension, alongside tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Trade and investment figures

It states that Vietnam has been China’s largest trading partner in ASEAN for a decade, and that China has been Vietnam’s largest trading partner for many years. The article cites trade reaching about $256.4 billion in 2025, up 24.8% year-on-year.

On investment, the article says China ranks high in Vietnam’s investment landscape, pointing to notable high-tech and new-energy vehicle projects.

Infrastructure, logistics, and border cooperation

The piece also refers to cooperation in infrastructure and logistics, as well as border management models.

Tourism and education exchanges

On people-to-people exchanges, the article highlights cultural and educational cooperation, including millions of Chinese visitors to Vietnam in 2025 and a growing number of Vietnamese students in China.

Expected impact

Overall, the article argues that the increasingly stable, effective, and substantive relationship between the two countries will support both Vietnam and China in achieving their growth and development objectives in the new era. It also says the visit is expected to help maintain stability, security, cooperation, and development amid global and regional uncertainties, creating a mark and new momentum for bilateral ties.