Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh: New key area of cooperation in Vietnam-China relations
WVR - To facilitate "green lanes" for agricultural exports and tourism cooperation between Vietnam and China, Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh has proposed various measures at multiple levels to elevate these two sectors into new key areas of cooperation in bilateral relations.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in China) |
Creating a green lane for Vietnamese agricultural products
According to information from the Vietnamese Embassy in China, Vietnam's agricultural exports to the market of over 1.4 billion people recorded positive growth in the first half of 2026. As of April 2026, Vietnam's agricultural and aquatic exports to China reached 3.6 billion USD, up 22.4%, accounting for 25.7% of Vietnam's total agricultural and aquatic export turnover worldwide. Among these, fruit and vegetable exports reached 415.8 million USD, up 31.4%. China continues to be a major market for Vietnamese agricultural products.
Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh assessed that the two sides' efforts to enhance market access and sign protocols related to agricultural exports have facilitated and contributed to more stable agricultural trade development.
In the context where China is not only a large consumer market but also increasingly demands high standards for quality, traceability, and goods, Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh sressed that to promote high-quality agricultural exports to this important market, the Embassy will implement specific and multi-tiered tasks in the near future:
Firstly, coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to effectively implement agreements signed between the two sides related to agricultural exports; promote market access for new products; and resolve arising difficulties in agricultural exports.
Secondly, promptly provide information on regulations, policy adjustments, and quality quarantine standards of China for agricultural products to Vietnamese enterprises and localities, especially concerning Decree 280 on the registration of overseas food production facilities by the General Administration of Customs of China.
Thirdly, support connecting Vietnamese agricultural export enterprises with distribution systems, e-commerce platforms, logistics centers, and major importers in China; assist enterprises in expanding exports to potential markets with high demand for tropical agricultural products, such as the North and Northwest regions of China.
Notably, from June 2026, the Vietnamese Embassy in China has officially been strengthened with an Agricultural Counselor position to promote agricultural cooperation, connect policies, and better support Vietnamese enterprises in exporting agricultural products to the Chinese market.
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| Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh introduces Vietnamese dragon fruit and coconut at the Guangxi Fruit Festival, June 18, 2026. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in China) |
It is evident that the growth potential for Vietnamese agricultural products in the Chinese market remains vast. Recently, China has continuously improved its policy and standard systems to ensure the quality of imported goods, setting higher requirements for quality standards, traceability, and food safety for agricultural products.
To better leverage the potential of the Chinese market, Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh recommends that Vietnamese enterprises and localities focus on the following priorities:
Firstly, improve product quality, strictly control the production, processing, packaging, and traceability chain. Especially, fully meet technical and food safety standards; enhance deep processing to increase product value, reduce seasonal pressure, and minimize post-harvest losses.
Secondly, improve packaging and product design to keep up with consumer preferences, as the Chinese market increasingly favours eye-catching, modern packaging; develop modern cold storage and logistics systems.
Thirdly, better capitalize opportunities from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) version 3.0 to reduce costs, strengthen supply chain connectivity, and enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products.
| On June 30, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam held a ceremony to announce the official operation of the Agricultural Product Traceability System after a successful pilot phase for durian export products. The system's establishment marks an important milestone in the roadmap for building a national traceability system for agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products, contributing to the development of a "transparent, modern agriculture, enhancing competitiveness, protecting the reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products, and strengthening consumer trust both domestically and internationally". More importantly, the system will not only support people and businesses in searching and verifying product information but also form a shared data platform, ensuring connectivity, sharing, and interoperability with ministries, sectors, localities, businesses, and traceability solution providers. |
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| Vietnamese fruits displayed at the Guangxi Fruit Festival, June 18, 2026. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in China) |
Elevating tourism cooperation
In addition to economic and trade cooperation, tourism is also considered a new spearhead in Vietnam-China cooperation.
At the Vietnam-China Youth Friendship Meeting held on April 15 in Beijing (China), which also marked the first anniversary of the "Red Journey" Program, General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his desire for the youth of both countries to build strong political will and sound living ideals; continuously enhance awareness of the importance and strategic height of Vietnam-China relations; strengthen learning, promote innovative spirit, master science and technology, and uphold the spirit of volunteerism, making worthy contributions to the development of each country and the friendship between the two nations.
The General Secretary and President also deeply believe that the youth of both countries will continue to write new chapters of Vietnam-China friendship with intelligence, pioneering creativity, aspiration to contribute, and responsibility for the future of their countries, following in the footsteps of their predecessors, bringing vitality and a bright future to Vietnam-China relations.
Continuing this spirit, in April 2026, Vietnam and China announced the launch of the Vietnam-China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026-2027.
To implement the common understanding of the high-level leaders of the two countries regarding the launch of this program, most recently, on June 26, Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh met with Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli on the occasion of attending the 13th APEC Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Macau (China).
During the meeting, Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh proposed key cooperation directions, including: focusing on improving service quality and a team of guides proficient in Chinese; investing in upgrading marine tourism products alongside road and rail tourism; expanding direct flight routes; and prioritizing promoting Vietnamese tourism in major destinations such as Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, and Hangzhou.
In response to these proposals, Minister Sun Yeli affirmed that China is actively implementing the 2026–2027 Tourism Year through a range of concrete activities at both the central and local levels. He also agreed to continue maintaining regular exchange mechanisms and to promote substantive and effective cooperation, thereby contributing to economic and cultural development as well as people-to-people exchanges.
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| General Secretary and President To Lam and Chinese General Secretary and President Xi Jinping at the youth meeting of the two countries participating in the "Red Journey Study and Learning" program, April 2026. (Photo: Thong Nhat) |
Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh underlined that the Vietnamese Embassy in China will continue to actively promote cultural exchanges, tourism cooperation, and local connections between the two sides. The measures planned for implementation in the near future include:
Firstly, closely coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities to effectively implement the Vietnam-China Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Plan for 2023-2027 and the documents signed between the two sides; maintain cooperative relations with relevant Chinese agencies, support the organization of cultural and artistic events, and integrate cultural promotion in high-level foreign affairs activities and local foreign affairs activities.
Secondly, support expanding connections between localities, especially provinces and cities with potential for cooperation in tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges; promote the establishment and deepening of local cooperation mechanisms; promote youth exchange activities and delegation exchange programs. This is an important foundation to strengthen friendship and create long-term momentum for tourism cooperation.
Thirdly, research and exploit popular digital platforms and social networks in China to promote Vietnamese tourism, contributing to making tourism cooperation and cultural exchanges a highlight in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China.
