Vietnam - Guangxi strengthen agricultural trade

Minister Le Hoai Trung welcomed the fact that Chairman Vi Thao and other Guangxi leaders chose Vietnam as their first overseas destination after assuming new positions, describing it as a clear and consistent reflection of Guangxi’s importance in its relationship with Vietnam.

He affirmed that, as part of the broader ties between the two Parties and two countries, Vietnam always supports and creates favorable conditions for ministries and localities to deepen exchanges and cooperation with Chinese localities - particularly those with traditional, closely knit ties to Vietnam such as Guangxi.

Chairman Vi Thao expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm reception from Minister Le Hoai Trung and Vietnamese leaders at central and local levels. He extended his regards to Vietnamese people affected by recent storms and floods. Minister Le Hoai Trung thanked him for the sympathy and acknowledged the Chinese Government’s recent decision to provide USD 500,000 in support for Vietnam’s post-disaster recovery.

In a friendly, candid and open atmosphere, both sides agreed that, alongside the strong and positive development of relations between the two Parties and two countries, cooperation and exchanges between Vietnam and Guangxi have recorded many encouraging results. Highlights include regular delegation exchanges, robust economic and trade cooperation with bilateral trade reaching approximately USD 42 billion in 2024, up 16.4% year-on-year, marking Vietnam as Guangxi’s largest trading partner for 26 consecutive years. The two sides have also maintained close coordination in land border management, while people-to-people, cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges have generated practical outcomes.

To further strengthen cooperation going forward, Minister Le Hoai Trung proposed that both sides continue to make effective use of existing exchange and cooperation mechanisms, expand cooperation areas, accelerate infrastructure connectivity, and widen market access, particularly for Vietnamese agricultural products. He also proposed close coordination in piloting smart-border-gate models.

The Minister expressed hopes for breakthrough progress in science and technology cooperation, especially in artificial intelligence; expansion of scholarships and opportunities for Vietnamese students to study and conduct research in Guangxi; better conditions for Vietnamese citizens living in the region; and encouragement for strong Guangxi enterprises to invest in major, symbolic projects in Vietnam, especially in green agriculture, clean energy, and sustainable development.

He further proposed continued close coordination in land border management, effective implementation of the three legal documents on the Vietnam - China land border and related agreements, proactive handling of issues arising along the border, and joint efforts to operate the Ban Gioc–Detian scenic area safely and efficiently to attract more visitors.

Agreeing with Minister Le Hoai Trung’s proposals, Chairman Vi Thao affirmed that Guangxi attaches great importance to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and localities. He pledged Guangxi’s readiness to implement the common understandings of top-level leaders of both Parties and countries, contributing meaningfully to further deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and advancing the building of a Vietnam - China community with a shared future of strategic significance.

Chairman Vi Thao also highlighted several concrete proposals to advance cooperation across sectors, including hopes that Vietnamese Party and State leaders will visit Guangxi in 2026 as part of official visits to China; the successful organization of the 2026 Spring Meeting between the Guangxi Party Secretary and Party Secretaries of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, and Hai Phong; strengthened cooperation in artificial intelligence, smart-border-gate construction, and infrastructure connectivity; enhanced emergency rescue cooperation in border areas; and continued promotion of cultural, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

China has long been Vietnam’s largest agricultural export market, accounting for roughly 23 - 25% of Vietnam’s total agro-forestry-fishery export value in recent years. Guangxi, sharing more than 630 km of land border with Vietnam, functions as one of the most important gateways for this trade, especially for fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, and consumer-ready farm products.

Vietnam’s key agricultural exports to China include durian, dragon fruit, watermelon, bananas, jackfruit, rice, cassava, wood products, and various aquaculture items. Since 2022, durian has emerged as the fastest-growing product after China granted official export access under strict technical protocols. In 2024, Vietnam’s durian exports to China surpassed USD 3.3 billion, with 70 - 80% of shipments passing through border gates in Guangxi.