The 17th meeting of the China Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation Steering Committee came to an end in Hanoi. At this meeting, both sides made it clear that they will promote railway interconnection and expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture, electricity, finance, minerals, and technological innovation, and jointly maintain the multilateral trading system. As an important driving force for regional economic integration, the China ASEAN Expo continues to build a communication bridge between China and Vietnam, injecting new momentum in infrastructure connectivity, economic and trade rules docking, and cultural exchanges, and helping to build a strategically significant China Vietnam community with a shared future.

Vietnam has participated in 21 consecutive high-level conferences

Since the first East Expo was held in 2004, Vietnam has sent leaders level representatives to attend every year without interruption. Vietnam once served as the theme country for the 13th East Asian Expo, and its high level of attention is evident. Under the promotion of the East Expo, a number of landmark cooperation projects have been launched successively, including the China Vietnam De Tian Ban Yue Waterfall Cross border Tourism Cooperation Zone, the China Vietnam Friendship Pass Friendship Smart Port, and wind power projects located in Kunsong, Xianghua and other places. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other provinces and cities also showcased their charm through the Charm City exhibition area of the East Expo, effectively promoting economic and trade exchanges and cultural interactions between China and Vietnam at the local level.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Mey Van Thang stated at the opening ceremony of the 22nd East Asian Expo that in the past 21 years, the Expo has become an important symbol of economic, trade, and investment cooperation between ASEAN and China. He emphasized that ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, have always recognized China's important contributions in promoting regional cooperation and common prosperity.

Coffee slippers borrowed from the exhibition to open up the Chinese market

The East Expo has become a key gateway for Vietnamese companies to enter the Chinese market. During the first 22 editions of the East China Expo, the total number of Vietnamese booths reached nearly 4300, with nearly 2200 participating companies. Vietnamese coffee, rosewood furniture, rubber slippers and other specialty products have entered the sight of Chinese consumers through this platform. With the brand effect of the East Expo, numerous exhibits have achieved efficient conversion from exhibition display to shelf sales.

Vietnam Zhongyuan Group has successfully laid out its presence in the Chinese market by leveraging the brand spillover effect of the East Expo. Its first flagship store in Southwest China officially opened in Nanning on December 12, 2025. A Chinese agent of Vietnamese slippers stated that the East Expo has accurately connected the Chinese and ASEAN markets, not only opening up sales channels for products, but also helping companies to timely grasp consumer preferences and understand changes in market demand.

Artificial intelligence becomes a new engine for bilateral cooperation

In addition to traditional commodity trade, artificial intelligence is becoming a new topic in Sino Vietnamese economic and trade relations. At the first China ASEAN Ministerial Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence held during the 22nd East Asian Expo, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam, Pei Huangfang, pointed out that artificial intelligence is not only a technology, but also an important component of infrastructure. He stated that Vietnam is willing to expand cooperation with all parties in artificial intelligence talent cultivation, scientific research, and academic exchanges.

In March 2026, Vietnam's Artificial Intelligence Law officially came into effect, providing legal guarantees for the standardized development of the digital economy. A series of projects, including the China Vietnam Friendship Pass - Friendship Smart Port, the China Vietnam Puzhai Xinqing Freight Dedicated Channel Smart Port, and the China Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Application Cooperation Center Hanoi Exhibition Center, have successively landed, promoting the transformation of digital technology into a strong driving force for promoting economic and trade development between the two countries, and providing a reference for the construction of the China ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 version. Keywords: Strategic News Network, China Vietnam Cooperation, Digital Economy

According to the Secretariat of the East Expo, in April 2026, the Expo will organize enterprises to participate in the 35th Vietnam International Trade Fair in the form of a special exhibition area. During this period, the 23rd East China Expo Global Promotion Roadshow Vietnam South Station will be held to promote the connection between Chinese and Vietnamese enterprises, encourage all parties in Vietnam to actively participate in the 23rd East China Expo, provide services for purchasing in China, exporting to China, and investing in China, and promote the construction of a strategically significant China Vietnam community of shared future to a new level.Editor/Gao Xue