General Secretary To Lam presided over the welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President Xi Jinping

The solemn welcoming ceremony for China's General Secretary of the Communist Party and President Xi Jinping was held on the afternoon of April 14 at the Presidential Palace, in accordance with the highest protocol reserved for top leaders. The ceremony was presided over by General Secretary To Lam.

Many children and citizens of the capital waved flags and flowers to warmly welcome General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and the high-ranking delegation of the Chinese Party and State on their visit to Vietnam.

Amidst the welcoming music, General Secretary To Lam invited General Secretary and President Xi Jinping to step onto the podium. The military band played the national anthems of China and Vietnam, accompanied by a 21-gun salute fired from the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.

This state visit to Vietnam marks the first foreign trip of General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, in 2025. Within this visit, the two sides are expected to engage in numerous high-level activities and sign several cooperation documents across various fields.

After the national anthems were played, General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President Xi Jinping stepped down from the podium, bowed to the military flag, and reviewed the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People’s Army.

In recent times, the overall Vietnam–China relationship has developed positively, yielding significant achievements. Since this year’s beginning, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam–China diplomatic relations (January 18, 1950 – January 18, 2025), the two countries have maintained close exchanges and contact at high and all levels. On January 15, General Secretary To Lam had a phone conversation with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, during which they officially launched the Year of Vietnam-China Humanitarian Exchange.

Vietnam and China share a close bond, with mountains and rivers intertwined, and a long-standing tradition of friendship between their peoples. Since the two countries established the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership in 2008, especially following the historic mutual visits by top leaders of both Parties and States in recent years, their relationship has grown stronger, broader, and more dynamic across many areas.

General Secretary and President Xi Jinping’s State visit to Vietnam marks a major foreign policy event for both Parties and both countries. The visit carries strategic weight and will shape the future of Vietnam–China relations as the two nations step into a new era of development.

This is Xi Jinping’s fourth visit to Vietnam in his role as China’s top leader, and his second during the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. It is especially meaningful as it takes place during the Year of Humanitarian Exchange, a milestone year marking the 75th anniversary of Vietnam–China diplomatic ties (1950–2025).

Following the welcoming ceremony, General Secretary To Lam held official talks with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping at the Party Central Committee Headquarters.

Earlier that day, upon arriving at Noi Bai International Airport, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping shared his belief: “I believe that, under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, headed by Comrade To Lam, Vietnam will continue to move firmly along the path of socialism, in line with its own conditions and realities.”