On April 14, 2025, at 11:40 AM, the plane carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping and his delegation landed at Noi Bai Airport in Vietnam. This visit marks Xi's fourth state visit to Vietnam in his capacity as President of China, following an invitation from General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong.
Upon arrival, the delegation proceeded to the Marriott Hotel to rest before attending the official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace later that afternoon. As Xi's motorcade approached the Presidential Palace, crowds gathered along the route, waving flags to greet him enthusiastically.
The welcome ceremony, held at 4:00 PM, was presided over by General Secretary To Lam and adhered to the highest protocols for welcoming heads of state. During the ceremony, the military band played the national anthems of both China and Vietnam, and 21 cannon salutes were fired from the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in honor of the Chinese leader.
After the ceremony, President Xi and General Secretary To Lam walked to the headquarters of the Party Central Committee for discussions. During these talks, the two leaders agreed to enhance practical cooperation across various fields, including the establishment of a Vietnam-China Railway Cooperation Committee.
General Secretary To Lam proposed that both nations advance their cooperation in digital transformation and science and technology, aiming to make these areas a new highlight in Vietnam-China relations. He emphasized the need for more balanced trade and higher-quality investments, as well as the deployment of significant projects in Vietnam to tackle air pollution issues in major cities.
To facilitate this, To Lam urged China to provide the best incentives in terms of preferential loans, technology transfer, and human resource training, particularly for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway project.
In response, Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of deepening strategic trust between the two countries and encouraged the exchange of governance experiences. He also expressed support for connecting the "Belt and Road" initiative with the "Two Corridors, One Belt" framework, welcoming the increasing export of Vietnamese goods to China and urging more Chinese investment in Vietnam.
On the evening of April 14, Xi met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, where the Prime Minister reiterated the importance of prioritizing railway cooperation, particularly in credit, technology transfer, and human resource training. They set a goal to commence construction on the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway in 2025, followed by additional railway lines connecting Dong Dang to Hanoi and Mong Cai to Ha Long and Hai Phong.
Further discussions took place between Xi and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, where both sides agreed to enhance exchanges between their respective parties and legislative bodies. They aimed to establish a solid legal framework for major cooperation projects, including three standard-gauge railway lines linking the two nations.
On April 15, 2025, Xi Jinping and General Secretary To Lam laid wreaths at the mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, honoring the revolutionary leader. Later that morning, they participated in the Vietnam-China People's Friendship Meeting and the launching ceremony of the "Red Journey," focused on youth research and study.
Immediately following, the leaders attended the launch of the Vietnam-China railway cooperation mechanism, further solidifying their commitment to collaborative infrastructure projects.
During a meeting with President Luong Cuong later that day, Xi reiterated China's willingness to work with Vietnam to enhance transportation infrastructure, establish smart border gates, and expand imports of high-quality Vietnamese goods. He also expressed interest in promoting cooperation in emerging fields.
As the visit came to a close, Xi Jinping boarded his plane at 2:12 PM on April 15, marking the end of a two-day visit to Vietnam. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led the Vietnamese delegation to the airport to bid farewell to the Chinese leader.
This diplomatic engagement highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between Vietnam and China, with both nations recognizing the importance of collaboration in various sectors to foster mutual growth and stability.
In a related development, the Dong Dang-Lang Son Border Gate Economic Zone Management Board announced a temporary suspension of exit, entry, and import-export activities through specific customs clearance routes at the Huu Nghi International Border Gate from April 15 to April 17, 2025. This suspension aims to facilitate the Friendship Exchange Program between Vietnam and China.
The customs clearance will be halted during the following hours (Hanoi time): Tuesday, April 15, from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM; Wednesday, April 16, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM; and Thursday, April 17, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
During this period, authorities at the Huu Nghi International Border Gate will redirect vehicles carrying exported goods to the Viettel Lang Son Logistics Park to ensure smooth traffic flow and maintain order in the border area. After the specified time frames, normal operations for entry, exit, and import-export activities will resume.
This suspension reflects the ongoing collaboration and communication between Vietnam and China, demonstrating a commitment to ensuring orderly and efficient border management while fostering strong bilateral relations.
