On April 9, 2025, the Ministry of National Defense held a press meeting in Hanoi to introduce the 9th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange and some key cultural and artistic activities planned for April 2025. This exchange is set to take place on April 16 and 17, 2025, in Lang Son province (Vietnam) and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China).
The Vietnamese delegation will be led by General Phan Van Giang, the Minister of National Defense, while the Chinese delegation will be headed by the Minister of National Defense of China. During the press meeting, Major General Nguyen Xuan Thuy, Deputy Director of the Department of Propaganda and Training, represented the Ministry of National Defense and provided insights into the upcoming events.
According to the agenda, activities on April 16 in China will include a welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation, a visit to the Huu Nghi Quan Tourist Area, and a joint patrol between the two countries' navies, which will be witnessed through an online broadcast. Delegates will also visit the Huu Nghi Quan Border Gate Border Guard Station, where they will plant memorial trees and engage with local communities.
On April 17, activities in Vietnam will feature a welcome ceremony for the Chinese delegation, a friendship tree planting event, and visits to Dong Dang Primary School and the Huu Nghi International Border Gate Border Guard Station. The day will also include the inauguration of a multi-purpose building and a dialogue session at the Muong Thanh Hotel in Lang Son, where cooperation documents will be signed.
In addition to these formal activities, several side events are scheduled. These include a preliminary review of the twining between residential clusters on both sides of the border, including Dong Dang town (Vietnam) and Bang Tuong town (China), which was initiated on February 7. There will also be exchanges between local authorities and communities, sports and arts events, and visits to each other's villages from April 10-11.
Furthermore, young officers from the Vietnam Border Guard will engage with young officials from the National Immigration Administration of China from April 11-12. Both nations will also organize joint medical examinations and free medicine distribution for residents on both sides of the border from April 11-13. Scholarships will be awarded to students, and breeding cows will be given to households in difficult circumstances in the border area on April 12, coinciding with the medical examination activities.
From April 10-19, 2025, the Vietnamese Navy will dispatch ships 015 and 016, along with a working delegation, to China for activities related to the exchange. This marks the first time these modern surface combat ships will participate in a joint patrol in the Beibu Gulf with the Chinese Navy. Notably, the activities will include maneuvering ships into Beihai military port under the guidance of Chinese Navy vessels, a welcoming ceremony at the port, and exchanges between the commanders of the Vietnamese and Chinese Navy patrol ships.
The joint patrol will also involve sports exchanges between officers and sailors from both navies, as well as conducting the 38th joint patrol in the Beibu Gulf and joint exercises focused on search and rescue operations at sea.
During the press meeting, reporters raised various questions, and representatives from the relevant agencies provided clarifications about the events. Major General Nguyen Xuan Thuy emphasized the importance of media coverage for the Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange and highlighted key cultural and artistic programs taking place in April 2025 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and national reunification.
This year’s exchange aims not only to strengthen military ties between Vietnam and China but also to foster cultural and social connections between the communities living along the border. The events are designed to promote friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding, which are essential for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
As the two countries prepare for this significant event, the collaboration is expected to pave the way for future engagements and initiatives that benefit both nations and their people. The Ministry of National Defense is optimistic that the upcoming exchange will further solidify the partnership between Vietnam and China, showcasing a commitment to peace and collaboration in the spirit of friendship.
