Vietnamese President To Lam is scheduled to visit China 14 – 17 April at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The trip to China is significant from the perspective that President To Lam is on his first overseas visit after being reappointed as the State President on 07 April 2026 for five years (2026-2031) by the National Assembly. In his congratulatory message, President Xi Jinping noted that the relations between the two countries are emblematical of “comrades plus brothers”.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, President To Lam’s visit “fully demonstrates the high importance attached to the development of relations between the two parties and the two countries". In the context of the “parties”, it merits mention that President To Lam is the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Xi Jinping holds similar position as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Over the past seven decades (1950- 2025), Vietnam China relations have been nurtured based on high degree of mutual trust. The 2008 Vietnam China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has “maintained strong positive momentum” and is rooted in the “motto of “six more” i.e. (a) political trust; (b) substantive defence-security cooperation; (c) practical and deeper cooperation; (d) solid social foundation; (e) close-knitted multilateral coordination; and (f) control and resolution of disagreements. Last year both countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and designated the year as the “Year of Viet Nam-China Humanistic Exchange,” clearly “reflecting a shared strategic vision to promote sustainable bilateral relations” that is rooted in public engagement.”

President To Lam’s visit to china will also be an occasion to share with his counterpart about the resilience and depth in cooperation spanning all dimensions ranging from politics, economic, strategic, security and defense and culture pivoting on a shared future. A slew of new agreements are likely to be signed in different sectors including telecommunications infrastructure.

It will also be an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss the conflict in the Middle East between the United States–Israel and Iran. Though President To Lam did not make any specific reference to the conflict in his address to the National Assembly, President To Lam alluded to the “rapid and profound changes” happening in the world and observed that the “strategic competition among major powers is intensifying, while the world order and international law are facing numerous challenges. Global supply chains, capital flows, technologies, and markets are being restructured”. 

In the context of energy supply chains, Vietnam proactively “mobilized four million barrels of crude oil from international partners, covering 30 to 45 days of domestic consumption”. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited major oil-producing nation from 22-25 March including a deal with Russia to ensure energy security amid global supply disruptions due to the war.

China too has been adversely impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its energy supply chains have witnessed major disruptions. Although Iran has offered safe passage for Chinese flagged vessels through the Hormuz Strait, it remains concerned about energy infrastructure which have been primary targets of the US, Israel and Iran drone-missile attacks.

Vietnam has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between US and Iran and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesperson has stated that Vietnam “called on the parties to continue exercising restraint, act responsibly, refrain from complicating the situation, and respect the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all countries,”  Similarly, China has welcomed the ceasefire and the Foreign Office spokesperson has noted that “China will continue playing a constructive role and making positive contribution to restoring peace and tranquility in the Gulf and Middle East region”.

President To Lam’s visit to China also comes on the heels of the first ministerial meeting of the China-Vietnam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security held at Hanoi in March. It is “first strategic communication platform of its kind globally” and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called it as a “vital initiative to safeguard political system security and deepen strategic coordination” between the two countries. President To Lam and President Xi Jinping will surely emphasise the importance of China-Vietnam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security” in their discussions.

Dr.Dr. Vijay Sakhuja is associated with the Kalinga International Foundation, New Delhi.