The article recalls Xi Jinping's repeated visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the house near Ba Dinh Square where the late President once lived in Hanoi. He was quoted as saying, "For our generation of Chinese people, President Ho Chi Minh is considered the dearest friend of the Chinese people."

Ho Chi Minh, a revered Vietnamese leader, spent 12 years in China during his revolutionary career, traveling extensively across the country. He founded the Revolutionary Youth League of Vietnam in Guangzhou and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in Hong Kong, led revolutionary activities in Yunnan and Guangxi, and forged deep bonds with Chinese soldiers and citizens.

The article notes that Ho Chi Minh once famously said, "Vietnam–China deep bond: Comrades and brothers."

Throughout the struggles for independence and national liberation, China and Vietnam stood shoulder to shoulder, offering mutual support. President Xi Jinping has visited Vietnam on multiple occasions and has frequently referenced this shared revolutionary legacy in high-level talks, speeches, and official documents.

The piece also highlights the sacrifices made by both peoples in their pursuit of national liberation and independence. In a meeting with Vietnamese leaders in November 2015, President Xi stated that only by understanding the long path the two countries have traveled, together sharing mountains and rivers and a history of profound friendship, can their ties be strengthened and a lasting amity be achieved.

On economic cooperation, the article emphasizes that China has remained Vietnam's largest trading partner for over two decades, with two-way trade exceeding US$260 billion in 2024. The launch of the China–Vietnam international railway and the construction of smart border gates have facilitated the export of high-quality Vietnamese farm produce such as lychee, durian, and dragon fruit to China. At the same time, China's export of raw materials, machinery, and equipment has significantly supported Vietnam’s manufacturing sector.

People-to-people exchanges have also flourished. Classic Chinese literary works are well known among the Vietnamese, while contemporary Chinese films and television series enjoy popularity in Vietnam. Vietnamese pop songs are trending on Chinese social media, and Vietnamese singers have attracted a large fan base through cultural shows in China.

The article says that both nations have endured a difficult journey from war to national independence, from isolation to reform and opening up, and from poverty to prosperity. Along that path, Vietnam–China ties have evolved far beyond a typical bilateral relationship. In December 2023, during President Xi’s visit to Vietnam, the two sides pledged to build a Vietnam–China community with a shared future of strategic significance, ushering in a new phase in relations between the two Parties and countries.

The piece concludes that as close neighbors with mountains and rivers connected, the deep-rooted friendship between China and Vietnam, described as both comrades and brothers, is portrayed as a vivid reflection of the strong bond between the two Parties and their peoples.

Party chief spotlights close friendship between Vietnam and China

Vietnam and China are two close neighbours, connected by mountains and rivers, and the people of the two countries have shared many similarities in culture and customs, and together cultivated a long-standing traditional friendship that has lasted for thousands of years.