Vietnam, China seek stronger, more substantive cooperation

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc called on China to facilitate Vietnamese agricultural exports, deepen cooperation on quarantine and soon sign a memorandum of understanding designating Vietnam as the featured country for the "Shared Big Market: Export to China Series Activities" in 2027.

Politburo Member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc (left) and Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. (Photo: VNA)
Politburo Member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc (left) and Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. (Photo: VNA)

Nanning (VNA) – Vietnamese and Chinese officials have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and effectively implement high-level common perceptions as the two countries’ comprehensive cooperation continues to make positive progress.

The agreement was reached during talks between Politburo Member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc and Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, in Nanning, China, on September 16.

The talks took place on the sidelines of the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS).

Tuc conveyed greetings and best wishes from General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and other Vietnamese leaders to General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and other Chinese leaders. He also congratulated China on the upcoming 77th National Day on October 1.

The two sides noted positive and comprehensive developments in Vietnam-China relations, guided by high-level strategic orientations, including especially important common perceptions reached by the two countries’ top leaders during General Secretary and President To Lam’s State visit to China in April. Political trust has been strengthened and high-level exchanges maintained regularly, while economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges have delivered substantive results.

Tuc proposed stronger cooperation in defence and security, and called on China to facilitate Vietnamese agricultural exports, deepen cooperation on quarantine and soon sign a memorandum of understanding designating Vietnam as the featured country for the "Shared Big Market: Export to China Series Activities" in 2027.

He also called for faster progress on railway connectivity, including standard-gauge railway lines linking the two countries, the development of smart border gates and cross-border economic cooperation zones, stronger electricity connectivity, and greater cooperation in science and technology, human resources training and technology transfer.

Ding welcomed the proposals and affirmed China’s readiness to promote substantive cooperation, accelerate railway connectivity and strengthen supply and production chains. China is willing to increase imports of high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products, support high-quality investment by capable Chinese enterprises in Vietnam, and expand cooperation in science and technology, innovation, human resources training and power supply connectivity.

The two sides also agreed to enhance coordination at multilateral forums, cooperate in organising APEC Years 2026 and 2027 in China and Vietnam respectively, promote people-to-people exchanges and effectively implement activities under the Vietnam-China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-2027. They also held candid discussions on managing and properly addressing differences, contributing to regional peace and stability.

Earlier, the Standing Deputy PM held a meeting with Chen Gang, member of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The two sides spoke highly of positive and comprehensive progress in exchanges and cooperation between Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities and Guangxi, including the implementation of five strategic connectivity areas highlighted by General Secretary and President Lam. They include politics and development policies, economy and trade, infrastructure and logistics, science and technology, and people-to-people connectivity.

Tuc called on Guangxi to further facilitate Vietnamese exports to China and third markets, support high-quality investment by Guangxi enterprises in Vietnam, and coordinate in accelerating railway and border-gate infrastructure projects. He also proposed stronger cooperation in maritime and inland waterway transport, science and technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, as well as effective management of the Ban Gioc Waterfall (Vietnam) – Detian Waterfall (China) tourism landscape.

Chen affirmed Guangxi’s readiness to work with Vietnamese ministries and localities to implement high-level common perceptions, strengthen supply and production chain connectivity, speed up railway and road links, improve border infrastructure and expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, science and technology, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

The same day, the Vietnamese official also met leaders of major Chinese companies, including Huawei, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), to discuss opportunities for high-quality investment and cooperation in Vietnam./.

VNA

See more

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (8th from left, first row) and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his spouse Caroline Parmelin present flowers to artists performing at the banquet. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader hosts banquet in honour of Swiss President

The General Secretary and President noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, Vietnam and Switzerland have consistently nurtured their friendship, strengthened political trust and expanded cooperation across various fields for the benefit of their people.

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly (second from right) and Madam Caroline Parmelin (second from left) make herbal pillows using traditional ingredients. (Photo: VNA)

Spouses of Vietnamese, Swiss leaders visit Hanoi University of Pharmacy

Hanoi University of Pharmacy holds special significance in bilateral relations as it is closely associated with Alexandre Yersin, a French scientist of Swiss origin born in 1863 in the canton of Vaud, the homeland of President Parmelin. Yersin was the first principal of the Indochina Medical College, the predecessor of today’s Hanoi University of Pharmacy and Hanoi Medical University. He also made important contributions to the development of medicine in Vietnam.

Liechtenstein Prime Minister Brigitte Haas (L) is welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan. (Photo: VNA)

Liechtenstein Prime Minister arrives in Hanoi, starting official visit to Vietnam

The visit comes at a favourable time, following the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in July 2026. The agreement is expected to provide an important framework for further expanding Vietnam’s economic ties with Liechtenstein and other EFTA members, facilitating trade, investment and business connections.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Hungary Bui Le Thai (L) shakes hands with Prof. Dr. Csaba Gyuricza, Rector of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences Research (MATE). (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam, Hungary promote cooperation in agriculture, science, technology

Noting that Vietnam is accelerating its shift towards a growth model driven by science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, the Ambassador called on MATE to strengthen cooperation with Vietnamese partners in areas of shared strengths and complementary needs, including biotechnology, climate-resilient crop breeding, agricultural product processing and preservation, sustainable aquaculture, smart agriculture and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (second from right) and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly pose for a photo with Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his spouse Caroline Parmelin. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader hosts welcome ceremony for Swiss President

Over the past 55 years since establishing diplomatic relations, Vietnam and Switzerland have become reliable and effective partners across various fields. Political trust has continued to be strengthened through visits and high-level meetings. In January 2025, the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership, marking a new milestone in the bilateral relations. Since then, their cooperation has continued to deepen and become more effective.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) receives State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Astrid Bergmål in Hanoi on October 16. (Photo: Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam, Norway promote multifaceted cooperation

Hang welcomed Bergmål’s first visit to Vietnam, affirming that Vietnam attaches importance to its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Norway. She expressed her satisfaction with the positive development of the bilateral ties, underpinned by political trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to sustainable development.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung delivers a report on the implementation of the 2026 socio-economic development plan and a proposed plan for 2027 at the 16th National Assembly’s second session, which opened on October 17 morning. (Photo: VNA)

Fourteen of 15 key targets for 2026 to be met or exceeded: PM

Amid a complex international and regional environment, proactive engagement across the entire political system has yielded major and relatively comprehensive socio-economic achievements, with 14 out of the 15 primary socio-economic targets expected to be met or exceeded.

The opening session sees the presence of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam (sixth from left, first row), and incumbent and former Party and State leaders. (Photo: VNA)

NA President calls for high-quality legislation to drive national development

NA President Tran Thanh Man said the session takes place shortly after the fourth plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee and less than two months after the NA’s first extraordinary session, demonstrating the determination and urgency to institutionalise the Party’s guidelines and decisions, address bottlenecks, mobilise resources and create new drivers for rapid and sustainable national development.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang (R) welcomes Swiss President Guy Parmelin and his spouse Caroline Parmelin at Noi Bai International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

Swiss President Guy Parmelin arrives in Hanoi, beginning official visit to Vietnam

Over 55 years of trust-building and cooperation, Vietnam and Switzerland have maintained friendly relations while gradually expanding collaboration across a wide range of areas. The elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership in January 2025 reflected the two sides’ determination to usher their relations into a new phase of development.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, other Party and State leaders, and NA deputies come to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum before the opening of the 16th NA's second session on October 17 morning. (Photo: VNA)

16th National Assembly commences second session

The parliament’s second session is scheduled to last until November 21. It is divided into two phases, with the first from October 17 to November 14, and the second from November 20 to 21.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the European Union Nguyen Huong Tra speaks in an interview with the VNA. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-EU, Belgium ties poised for new heights

The upcoming official visits to the European Union (EU) and Belgium by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam aims to strengthen political trust, deepen ties and translate high-level commitments into concrete action, laying the groundwork for a new phase in relations with both partners.