Vietnam’s high-level delegation to China cut straight to the point, with Chinese officials directly urging Hanoi to accelerate progress on “standardizing rail gauges.” During this visit, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man brought a clear list of cooperative priorities, focusing on railways, trade, border crossings, and technology. In response, Beijing emphasized the need for Vietnam to expedite construction of standard-gauge railway lines, pushing toward full “rail alignment” to better integrate with China’s regional development strategy.
Most of Vietnam’s existing rail network operates on outdated narrow gauge tracks, requiring cargo transshipment at borders—an inefficiency that significantly slows cross-border freight. Three cross-border standard-gauge railway projects are currently under planning, yet their implementation has been prolonged. Completion of gauge standardization would allow Vietnam’s railways to connect seamlessly with China’s southwest rail network, potentially transforming northern ports into southern gateways for China-Europe freight trains. Extending timelines may also reflect Hanoi’s strategic calculation—retaining leverage in negotiations.
In economic terms, Vietnam seeks greater access to Chinese markets for its agricultural exports. Vietnamese fruits and vegetables account for over 60% of total exports to China, and the country aims to use agricultural trade to narrow its growing deficit with Beijing. However, constraints related to production capacity and compliance with quality standards limit the potential for agriculture alone to reshape the current trade balance.
On border infrastructure, Vietnam is advancing smart border gate projects at Dongxing–Mong Cai and Lao Cai, aiming for round-the-clock customs clearance. The goal extends beyond efficiency—it includes positioning border zones as industrial nodes capable of absorbing manufacturing capacity shifting out from within Vietnam. In technology, Vietnam is seeking collaboration in artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing. Yet, given weak domestic industrial foundations, the likely model will involve Chinese firms providing technological platforms, while Vietnam offers real-world application environments.
Vietnam, long adhering to a “bamboo diplomacy” approach—emphasizing non-alignment—faces an increasingly complex reality. It remains the United States’ largest trading partner in terms of bilateral deficit, while also running a trade deficit with China. This dual pressure has intensified. The once-robust “China+1” supply chain diversification trend is now cooling, with a noticeable decline in the share of Chinese investment flowing into Vietnam.
For Vietnam, expanding cross-border rail connectivity, deepening trade ties with China, and attracting technical and financial capital are no longer optional advantages—they have become essential conditions for survival and development. The country hopes to mitigate external strategic risks through deeper economic integration with China. Yet, greater reliance on the Chinese market inevitably increases economic interdependence. This latest push for cooperation may represent Vietnam’s most difficult strategic decision yet—one from which there is little room for retreat.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879078648130571/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.