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Against a backdrop of rapid global volatility, intensifying strategic competition, and major restructuring of global supply chains, the state visit to China by Vietnam’s General Secretary of the Communist Party and President To Lam carries significance beyond the bilateral framework.
The visit is To Lam’s first foreign trip in his dual roles as head of the Party and the State since the 14th Party Congress, and it is described as the most important high-level diplomatic engagement between Vietnam and China in 2026. Over four days, To Lam held talks with General Secretary Xi Jinping, met Premier Li Keqiang, and met Standing Committee member Zhao Leji and Chairman Wang Huning. The schedule also included visits to the Hung An New Area, a speech at Tsinghua University, and coverage of the Beijing–Nanning high-speed railway route.
The state-level welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People underscored the depth of the bilateral relationship. In high-level talks, both sides reaffirmed that Vietnam–China relations are a strategic choice and a top priority. They agreed to advance a “Community of Shared Future with Strategic Significance” with six emphasis areas: higher political trust; more substantive defense-security cooperation; deeper substantive cooperation; a stronger social foundation; closer multilateral coordination; and better management and resolution of differences.
Security cooperation was expanded to non-traditional areas including cross-border crime, telecom fraud, human trafficking, and high-tech crime—issues described as affecting social stability and development in both countries.
On sensitive issues, particularly at sea, the two sides agreed to adhere to a shared understanding, resolve disputes through consultation and negotiation in line with international law including UNCLOS, avoid actions that complicate the situation or expand disputes, and promote DOC and substantive COC negotiations.
The visit’s economic and technological agenda focused on accelerating cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and deeper economic integration. In his speech at Tsinghua University, To Lam highlighted cooperation directions including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, big data, digital technologies, and clean energy. These areas were reflected in the talks and the joint statement.
Both sides agreed to promote cooperation in high-tech fields, strengthen integration of production and supply chains, and accelerate technology transfer and the training of high-quality human resources. The establishment of a working group on production–supply chain cooperation was highlighted as a shift from trade toward joint participation in shaping the value chain.
Infrastructure cooperation was identified as a strategic priority, with railway collaboration emphasized. The two sides gave top priority to railway cooperation, welcomed the completion of the feasibility study for the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong route, and welcomed agreements to plan the Dong Dang–Hanoi and Mong Cai–Ha Long–Hai Phong lines. China stated it is ready to cooperate with Vietnam on loans, technology and training for railway projects and to mobilize capable enterprises to participate in construction.
Financial and monetary cooperation was also promoted, including cross-border QR payments and studies on expanding the use of domestic currency, aimed at supporting bilateral trade and investment in a more favorable and stable direction.
Beyond the political and economic pillars, the visit placed emphasis on social foundations and broader collaboration. Youth exchanges, local-level exchanges, and culture and education activities were intensified. The “Vietnam–China Year of Tourism 2026–2027” was launched, alongside education and vocational training programs and academic exchanges.
Regionally and globally, the two sides intensified coordination through mechanisms including APEC, ASEAN, and Mekong–Lancang. They also promoted implementation of trade agreements such as RCEP and supported Vietnam’s hosting of APEC 2027 and China’s hosting of APEC 2026, positioning bilateral cooperation within wider regional stability.
The visit is described as delivering comprehensive results in bilateral cooperation and aligning those outcomes with a unified framework Vietnam is actively shaping for modern, high-quality development aligned with Industry 4.0. It also signaled initial Chinese backing for the structure proposed by Vietnam in To Lam’s Thanh Hoa University speech, formalized in the joint statement: political trust as a foundation; economy, technology and infrastructure as drivers; and social foundations and multilateral mechanisms as guarantees.
To Lam and his delegation concluded the state visit.
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