HANOI—From April 14 to 15, Chinese President and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping paid a high-profile state visit to Vietnam. His two-day summit was not only a diplomatic engagement but a powerful reaffirmation of the deep political, ideological, and economic ties between the two neighboring socialist countries.
The Vietnamese government, led by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), extended a warm welcome to Xi, underscoring the special nature of the bilateral relationship. Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, the Chinese leader was greeted by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, an honor that reflects the high esteem in which the Chinese leader is held.
This level of personal reception is typically reserved for the most significant guests; other major world leaders, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, have previously been welcomed by Vietnam’s deputy prime ministers instead.
The symbolism of the gesture sent a clear message: the Vietnam-China relationship is not merely a diplomatic partnership, but a deeply rooted political alliance between two socialist states.
While in Hanoi, Xi met with several top Vietnamese leaders, including CPV General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. These meetings resulted in the signing of 45 bilateral agreements, covering a wide range of strategic issues. The pacts emphasized infrastructure development, environmental protection, and security cooperation—sectors both governments view as critical to national development and regional stability. Further, both leaders agreed that any disagreements between the two countries will be resolved peacefully.
The timing of Xi’s visit added further weight to its importance. The visit came amid continued fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s global trade war. Both China and Vietnam were hit hard by Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs, with the U.S. imposing steep import taxes on Chinese and Vietnamese goods, reportedly up to 145% on Chinese products and 46% on those from Vietnam.
While in Hanoi, Xi criticized such trade wars, declaring that “no one wins in a trade war,” and called for China and Vietnam to promote global trade stability.
While Vietnam has taken steps to negotiate with the United States in order to reduce tariff burdens, it has made clear that it will not compromise its political autonomy. Some Western analysts have speculated that Washington could exploit the trade dispute to draw Vietnam into a U.S.-led anti-China alignment. However, Xi’s successful and well-received visit served as further evidence that Vietnam will not be bullied into such a position and has reaffirmed that Vietnam has no intention of allowing its ties with China to be undermined by outside powers.
Instead, Vietnam continues to adhere to a long-standing foreign policy of independence, multilateralism, and friendship with all countries. This policy allows Hanoi to maintain constructive relationships with a diverse range of international partners (including both the U.S. and China) without sacrificing its sovereignty.
Indeed, during the visit, both sides repeatedly emphasized the unique political bond between their countries. Xi referred to Vietnam and the CPV as China’s “comrades and brothers,” a phrase echoing decades of socialist solidarity. The phrase carries particular significance as this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of relations between China and Vietnam, a relationship that was forged in the fires of both parties’ historical struggles for national liberation, anti-imperialism, and socialism.
Vietnam and China, as the two most prosperous socialist countries in the world today, have shown that they can cooperate as equals, navigating a complex global environment while upholding their national interests, independence, and socialist commitments.
As Xi departed Hanoi, the message was clear: While economic pragmatism may guide negotiations with the United States, Vietnam’s core foreign policy values will not be shaken. The friendship between Vietnam and China endures, not just in protocol, but in principle.
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