In the heart of Hanoi, on October 2, 2025, a new kind of spectacle unfolded during Vietnam’s National Day celebrations. Tens of young Vietnamese women, braving the sweltering heat, lined up for hours along the city’s broad avenues. Their goal? Not just to catch a glimpse of their own nation’s military might, but to marvel at the “cool” precision of Chinese soldiers participating in a grand parade—a scene that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.
This remarkable moment, reported by BBC and corroborated by Reuters, marks a significant shift in how Vietnamese youth perceive their powerful northern neighbor. For decades, relations between Vietnam and China have been shadowed by a history of conflict, deep-rooted suspicion, and, at times, outright hostility. In 2018, widespread anti-China protests erupted across Vietnam, forcing the government to shelve plans for special economic zones seen as favoring Chinese companies. But in 2025, something has changed—at least on the surface.
According to a survey conducted earlier this year by Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, nearly 75% of Vietnamese respondents still prefer the United States over China as a strategic partner. Yet, the same survey found that support for China among Vietnamese is growing at a faster rate than anywhere else in Southeast Asia—a trend that stands in contrast to the broader regional mood, where wariness of Beijing often prevails.
What’s driving this evolution? Social media, especially TikTok, appears to be playing an outsized role. The platform, owned by China’s ByteDance, boasted 67 million users in Vietnam in 2024—second only to Facebook in the country. When Vietnamese users search for “China” on TikTok, they’re greeted by a flood of upbeat content: videos of Chinese soldiers performing flawlessly choreographed marches, clips showcasing the gleaming skylines of Chinese cities, and countless comments expressing admiration for China’s rapid development. One video of the October 2 military parade in Hanoi racked up 3.3 million views and about 1,400 comments, many lavishing praise on the “flawless” discipline of the Chinese troops.
“I was really looking forward to seeing the Chinese soldiers because they’re so cool. I admire their discipline,” said a 22-year-old recent graduate from Ho Chi Minh City, who camped overnight in Hanoi just to secure a good viewing spot, as reported by BBC. Her sentiment was echoed by many young parade-goers and online commenters, who seemed captivated by the spectacle and the professionalism of the visiting troops.
But not everyone is entirely swept up by this new wave of admiration. Skepticism still lingers, especially on platforms like Facebook, where users tend to be more critical of both China and the United States. According to Dr. Nguyen Khac Giang of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, the apparent softening of attitudes among Vietnamese youth may have less to do with genuine affection for China and more with the government’s tighter control over nationalist discourse online. “It’s not that the anger is gone,” Dr. Giang explained, “but the state has become more adept at managing it.”
Indeed, anti-China campaigns still flare up in Vietnam, often targeting companies that use maps of the South China Sea (known in Vietnam as the East Sea) reflecting Beijing’s territorial claims. But these flare-ups tend to be short-lived. Compare that to 2018, when outrage over proposed economic zones with Chinese investment led to violent protests and forced the government to backtrack. Today, Vietnamese state media regularly touts new plans for economic zones along the Chinese border—without sparking backlash.
Economic pragmatism seems to be winning out over old animosities. As trade tensions between the US and China escalate, Vietnamese leaders have seized the opportunity to strengthen ties with Beijing. Sensitive projects like high-speed railways and border economic zones, once considered political minefields, are moving forward with less public resistance. Data from Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment shows that Chinese firms now rank among the country’s top investors, while top-level meetings between the two governments have become almost routine. Chinese President Xi Jinping has visited Vietnam twice in the past two years, and Mr. To Lam, newly appointed as General Secretary in 2024, made Beijing his first official foreign destination.
This warming trend extends beyond politics and economics. Interest in Chinese culture and language is surging among Vietnamese youth. According to Google Trends, online searches for Chinese movies and language courses have spiked dramatically. In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam led the world in registrations for the HSK, China’s official language proficiency test for non-native speakers, as reported by Chinese state media.
Still, national pride remains deeply rooted. As one 21-year-old student who attended the Hanoi parade put it, “While the Chinese soldiers look attractive, Vietnamese soldiers are still the best.” Her words reflect a nuanced reality: admiration for China’s rise coexists with enduring patriotism and a keen awareness of historical wounds.
While the Chinese and Vietnamese foreign ministries have remained tight-lipped about the possibility of coordinated online influence campaigns in Vietnam, the shift in sentiment is hard to ignore. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, when asked about such activities, simply stated that bilateral relations have been consolidated. The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry offered no comment.
Yet, even as Vietnam’s relationship with China appears to be on the mend, the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters remains as stark as ever. Between September and October 2025, a series of devastating storms battered northern and central Vietnam, unleashing floods and landslides that claimed at least 72 lives and left 13 people missing, according to official government figures. The province of Bac Ninh was among the hardest hit.
In response to this tragedy, Japan stepped in as a steadfast ally. On October 13, 2025, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) delivered emergency relief supplies—rice, water purifiers, blankets, and other essentials—to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. The aid was quickly dispatched to Bac Ninh and other affected areas. At a handover ceremony, Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki declared, “A true friend is someone who helps you in difficult times.” He expressed hope that the supplies would swiftly reach those in need and help ease their suffering.
A representative of the Vietnamese government expressed heartfelt gratitude, emphasizing the profound significance of Japan’s support during this crisis. The collaboration between JICA and Vietnamese authorities underscored the enduring bonds of friendship and mutual assistance between the two nations.
As Vietnam navigates a landscape shaped by shifting geopolitical alliances, economic pragmatism, and the ever-present threat of natural disasters, the country’s youth are forging their own perspectives—sometimes at odds with the past, but always shaped by the realities of the present. Whether the new fascination with China is fleeting or marks a deeper transformation remains to be seen. For now, the streets of Hanoi echo with the march of foreign soldiers, the hum of online admiration, and the quiet resilience of a nation determined to chart its own course.