Vietnam's Tô Lâm Concludes China Visit, Launches Tourism Year

General Secretary and President Tô Lâm has successfully concluded his state visit to China, a trip that underscored the deepening ties between Vietnam and its powerful neighbor. The journey back to Hanoi was marked by a symbolic train ride from Nanning, China, to the border town of Đồng Đăng in Vietnam's Lạng Sơn province, arriving on the afternoon of April 17th.

This visit, held from April 14th to 17th at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, was packed with high-level engagements. In Beijing, General Secretary Tô Lâm held talks with President Xi Jinping, as well as met with Premier Li Qiang and other top Chinese officials. These meetings reinforced China's commitment to prioritizing relations with Vietnam, viewing it as a cornerstone of its neighborhood diplomacy.

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The leaders of the two countries also officially announced the launch of the "Vietnam-China Tourism Year 2026-2027", agreeing to promote tourism cooperation and promotion activities, cooperate in upgrading tourism infrastructure and services, and consolidate and maintain their position as each other's largest tourist markets.

A significant outcome of the visit was the joint announcement to launch the "Vietnam-China Tourism Year 2026-2027." This initiative signals a mutual desire to boost tourism exchanges and cultural understanding between the two nations, aiming to solidify their positions as each other's largest tourist markets. The leaders also witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements, reflecting a comprehensive approach to strengthening bilateral ties across various sectors.

From a Vietnamese perspective, this visit is crucial. It reaffirms the strategic importance of the relationship with China, not just economically but also politically. The emphasis on practical, mutually beneficial cooperation and the elevation of the relationship to a new strategic level are key takeaways. The launch of the tourism year is particularly welcome, promising to bring tangible benefits and further integrate our economies and cultures. This visit demonstrates Vietnam's proactive foreign policy, balancing its relationships with major powers while maintaining close ties with its immediate neighbors.

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Mr. Liu Haijing, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Head of the Central Foreign Liaison Department, and Mr. Chen Gang, Secretary of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Party Committee, accompanied and saw off General Secretary and President To Lam, his wife Ngo Phuong Ly, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation at Pingxiang Station (China).