Published on
August 24, 2025
Vietnam’s high-ranking National Assembly delegation recently embarked on a groundbreaking diplomatic visit to China’s Sichuan Province, aiming to forge stronger economic, political, and cultural ties between the two regions. The visit is seen as a pivotal step in advancing bilateral cooperation, with both nations looking to capitalize on new opportunities in trade, investment, and cultural exchange. The delegation’s discussions with Sichuan officials focused on deepening collaboration across multiple sectors, ensuring long-term growth and strategic partnerships that will benefit both Vietnam and China. This historic visit signals a new era of enhanced relations, promising significant advancements in all areas of cooperation.
During a recent meeting between Vietnamese and Sichuan officials, both the host and guest expressed their satisfaction with the remarkable progress in Vietnam-China relations. The partnership between Vietnamese localities and the Sichuan province has particularly stood out, with significant strides made in various sectors, including trade, cultural exchange, and collaboration on mutual interests. This positive trajectory comes at a time when both nations are actively seeking to deepen their bilateral ties, focusing on fostering stronger economic cooperation and more meaningful people-to-people connections.
One of the most striking accomplishments in this partnership has been the rapid growth in bilateral trade between the two regions. In the past year, trade between Vietnam and Sichuan exceeded US\$14 billion, marking a significant milestone in their economic relationship. This figure represents a 30.1% increase year-on-year, underscoring the growing economic synergy between Vietnam and China. Building on this momentum, trade in the first five months of 2025 alone reached US\$6.6 billion, which indicates an 18.7% year-on-year growth. This impressive growth rate is a testament to the effectiveness of both sides’ policies and the expanding scope of their collaboration in various economic fields, ranging from manufacturing and technology to agriculture and consumer goods.
The Vietnamese side has expressed a clear desire to continue this upward trend in trade and economic exchanges, with a particular focus on leveraging opportunities presented by Sichuan’s development initiatives. Vice Chairman Phuong, who attended the meeting, shared his hopes for further enhancing the ties between Vietnam and Sichuan. He stressed that the province should continue to implement the high-level common perceptions established between the two countries, especially the outcomes of recent visits and exchanges between the senior leaders of both Parties and States. Phuong emphasized that these agreements should serve as a foundation for more effective cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, education, and culture.
In particular, Phuong highlighted the importance of strengthening exchanges and collaboration between Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities and their counterparts in Sichuan. He noted that the growing cooperation between the two regions offers significant potential for both nations to tap into new markets and expand their respective industries. The Vice Chairman expressed hope that Sichuan would continue to play a vital role in advancing the broader strategic goals of Vietnam-China relations, particularly in terms of increasing trade, expanding industrial cooperation, and promoting people-to-people ties.
To facilitate this process, Phuong also encouraged Sichuan’s key leaders to visit Vietnam to establish even closer links with Vietnamese localities and its legislative bodies. He suggested that these visits would not only enhance diplomatic and economic ties but also foster greater collaboration between the National Assembly (NA) and provincial-level People’s Councils of Vietnam. These exchanges, he argued, would help create more opportunities for Vietnamese and Chinese officials to work together on resolving mutual challenges, developing new partnerships, and driving forward initiatives that benefit both nations.
Phuong’s call for closer engagement between Vietnamese and Sichuan officials was also echoed by other Vietnamese leaders present at the meeting, who underscored the importance of building upon the existing foundations of cooperation. The Vietnamese government has long recognized the importance of fostering positive relationships with key provinces in China, particularly those that are economically dynamic and have significant potential for collaboration. Sichuan, with its strategic location, strong industrial base, and growing influence in China’s western development efforts, is seen as a key partner in this regard.
The invitation extended by Phuong to Sichuan’s leaders to visit Vietnam is part of a broader diplomatic effort to build stronger ties between the two nations at both the national and local levels. By promoting high-level exchanges between leaders from both sides, Vietnam aims to ensure that the bilateral relationship remains robust, balanced, and mutually beneficial. Such visits are seen as opportunities to discuss a wide range of issues, from economic cooperation and infrastructure development to cultural exchange and regional security matters.
Sichuan’s leadership, in turn, has shown a deep appreciation for the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, Sichuan officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Vietnam. They acknowledged the significant progress made over the years and expressed a willingness to continue working together with Vietnam to implement the shared goals outlined by the senior leaders of both nations. Sichuan officials also expressed their eagerness to enhance their collaboration with Vietnamese ministries and localities, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, and technology.
The relationship between Vietnam and Sichuan is not only defined by economic exchanges but also by a rich history of cultural and educational cooperation. In recent years, both sides have made efforts to promote mutual understanding and appreciation of each other’s heritage and traditions. This cultural exchange has taken many forms, including joint academic programs, art exhibitions, and tourism initiatives. Such initiatives are seen as vital in creating a more holistic partnership between the two regions, one that goes beyond mere economic transactions and encompasses deeper cultural and people-to-people ties.
As part of his working trip, and his delegation took the opportunity to explore some of Sichuan’s key cultural, historical, and economic sites. This tour included a visit to a local venue for interaction between deputies and constituents, allowing Phuong to observe firsthand how Sichuan officials engage with their communities and address local concerns. The delegation also toured several cultural and historical landmarks, gaining insights into the rich history of the region. This visit underscored the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutual respect between the people of Vietnam and China.
Vietnam’s high-ranking National Assembly delegation recently embarked on a historic diplomatic mission to China’s Sichuan Province, aiming to strengthen economic, political, and cultural ties. This pivotal visit marks a new era of enhanced bilateral cooperation, focusing on trade, investment, and long-term strategic partnerships.
the meeting between Vietnamese and Sichuan officials was a significant step forward in furthering the already strong partnership between the two regions. With continued commitment to high-level agreements, enhanced economic collaboration, and deepened cultural exchange, the Vietnam-Sichuan relationship is poised for even greater success in the years to come. Both sides are optimistic that the shared goals and aspirations of their leadership will continue to drive progress in their bilateral cooperation, benefiting not only the provinces involved but also the broader Vietnam-China relationship.
