Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong made the remark in Hanoi on September 7 while receiving Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) Jiang Futang. 

She emphasised the progress made in relations between the two national assemblies as well as joint efforts to boost the exchange of visits in recent years, saying that the late President Ho Chi Minh and the late Chairman Mao Zedong, along with the two countries’ leaders and people have continuously built the traditional relationship of “comrades plus brothers” between Vietnam and China. 

For his part, Vice Chairman Jiang Futang, who is leading a delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese NPC to visit Vietnam from September 6-10, sent his congratulations to Vietnam for its efforts to boost its economy over the past few years. 

He affirmed that China will make more efforts to strengthen the bilateral friendship, mutual understanding and comprehensive cooperation for the benefit of the people of the two countries. 

Also on September 7, a delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Vietnam National Assembly held talks with Vice Chairman Jiang Futang and his staff with a focus on operations and measures to enhance all-around cooperation. 

During their Vietnam visit, Vice Chairman Jiang Futang and his delegation are expected to pay a working visit to Ho Chi Minh City.