Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh: 'A new look' for economic diplomacy
WVR - Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh shares substantial efforts to truly shift economic diplomacy from “quantity” to “quality”.
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| Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh speaks at the Vietnam - China Green Industry Cooperation and Exchange Program, May 18, 2026. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in China) |
According to Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh, the economic diplomacy and local support efforts of the Vietnamese Embassy in China in the first six months of 2026 have been actively implemented and achieved remarkable results, significantly contributing to overall foreign affairs achievements.
Outstanding results
Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh stated that in the first half of 2026, trade cooperation continued to be a highlight in Vietnam - China relations. Bilateral trade turnover maintained a double-digit growth rate, reaching 122.6 billion USD, an increase of 32.2% in the first five months of 2026.
In terms of investment, Vietnam remains a destination for many large Chinese enterprises, with total investment capital into Vietnam reaching 1.09 billion USD in the first four months of the year. China leads in the number of new investment projects in Vietnam with 462 projects, accounting for 33%.
Regarding tourism, China continues to be the largest source market with 1.85 million visitors in the first four months of 2026, accounting for 21.1% of total international visitors. Strategic connectivity projects, especially infrastructure connections in railways, highways, and border gate infrastructure, have made substantial progress. Cooperation between localities of the two countries has been promoted.
To achieve these results, the Embassy has proactively, creatively, and actively implemented economic diplomacy and local support, specifically:
Firstly, closely coordinating with domestic agencies to promote economic-trade cooperation as one of the focal points in foreign affairs activities between the two countries, especially in high-level delegation exchanges.
Notably, the Embassy effectively coordinated the activities of General Secretary, State President To Lam during the State visit to China in April 2026, including successfully promoting the signing of 32 cooperation documents in various fields, including customs, plant quarantine, facilitating the export of several important goods to China such as grapefruit and lemon.
Simultaneously, the Embassy has supported over 30 delegations of leaders from ministries, sectors, and localities to visit and work in China, as well as delegations of leaders from Chinese ministries, sectors, localities, and enterprises to visit Vietnam, including contents on enhancing economic-trade cooperation.
Secondly, promoting strategic connectivity, especially concerning the three railway lines Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong, Lang Son - Hanoi, Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong, contributing to trade promotion. To date, China has handed over the draft feasibility study report for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong project, and both sides have signed an agreement to implement technical support for planning the Dong Dang - Hanoi and Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong railway lines.
Thirdly, maintaining and expanding cooperative relations with local governments, organizations, economic and trade associations, and the local business community. On this basis, enhancing coordination to organize product promotion, trade promotion, and creative, practical investment activities. Notable activities include "Pho Day" (February 2026) and the "Vietnam - China Green Industry Cooperation and Exchange Program" (May 2026).
These events have been highly appreciated by guests, businesses, and Chinese partners both in content and organization, thereby contributing to promoting Vietnam's national brand, laying the foundation for promoting substantial cooperation opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism; while strengthening connections between agencies and businesses of the two countries.
Fourthly, connecting and attracting external resources to serve domestic socio-economic development. Accordingly, the Embassy has worked with major Chinese enterprises such as Sunwah Group, ZTE, TCL, Trung Quan Thon..., thereby not only introducing Vietnam's investment, business environment, and development priorities but also connecting the cooperation needs of Chinese enterprises with Vietnamese partners, especially in high-tech fields.
Fifthly, actively supporting the connection of Vietnamese localities with Chinese partners by arranging working sessions and field surveys for local delegations visiting China, as well as supporting the organization of exchange and cooperation forums.
For example, the Vietnam - China Trade and Traditional Medicine Exchange Dialogue (An Hui) within the framework of the RCEP Local Government and Sister City Cooperation Forum, thereby introducing the potentials and strengths of localities, creating additional connection channels, contributing to promoting substantial cooperation between localities and enterprises on both sides.
Sixthly, proactively advising, researching forecasts, proposing solutions; regularly updating and widely sharing information on the situation and economic policies of the host country, providing early warnings, as well as cooperation and trade opportunities with Chinese partners; coordinating to resolve difficulties and obstacles for businesses.
| On June 11, at the National Conference on Research, Study, Mastery, and Implementation of Resolution No. 06-NQ/TW dated May 19, 2026, of the Politburo on implementing the foreign policy of the 14th Party Congress, General Secretary, President To Lam emphasized that foreign affairs are shifting focus from "attracting" to "selecting" and improving the quality of resources for strategic breakthroughs. Focusing on diversifying markets, partners, and supply sources towards increasing the value content of Vietnamese goods; selecting foreign direct investment (FDI) sources, prioritizing high-tech projects, deep domestic linkage, technology transfer; unlocking new financial sources: green ODA, climate credit, preferential capital for strategic infrastructure... |
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| Vietnamese durians on sale at a supermarket in Northeast China. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in China) |
Shifting from "quantity" to "quality"
In the coming time, to contribute to achieving double-digit growth targets following the 14th Party Congress, realizing the two centennial goals by 2030 and 2045, while the Foreign Affairs sector is identified as a crucial, regular task, Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh believes that economic diplomacy needs to shift from "quantity" to "quality", enhancing implementation effectiveness, especially concretizing bilateral agreements.
To achieve these objectives, thereby becoming a driving force for growth, attracting investment, technology, and expanding markets, economic diplomacy requires significant transformations:
Firstly, shifting from mere trade promotion to supporting new growth drivers, focusing on science and technology, digital economy, semiconductors, and innovation; enhancing connectivity of technology ecosystems, research and development, and high-quality human resource training.
Secondly, building and promoting international cooperation, creating a bridge between ministries, sectors, localities, and domestic enterprises with foreign partners, leveraging external resources to supplement domestic resources, contributing to economic growth and enhancing national competitiveness.
Thirdly, diversifying markets and supply chains; effectively utilizing signed FTAs, regional cooperation frameworks such as RCEP, ASEAN - China Free Trade Area version 3.0 (ACFTA 3.0), and economic connectivity initiatives to expand development space and enhance participation in regional and global value chains.
Fourthly, enhancing substantial support for localities and enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises; promoting the exploitation of integration commitments, expanding markets, attracting investment, and enhancing competitiveness.
Fifthly, strengthening strategic advisory work, proactively forecasting, early warning of trends, situations, and proposing policies and measures to respond to policy adjustments and actions of countries.
| Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh expressed confidence that with effort, determination, as well as methodical and professional expertise, Vietnamese Representative Missions abroad will undoubtedly excel in economic diplomacy, making this pillar a crucial driving force for growth, attracting investment, technology, and expanding markets. |
(Source: Vietnamese Embassy in China)
