Vietnam's move is highly unusual! Is Vietnam aiming to continue treading the path of China's reform and opening-up? On April 14, after arriving in Beijing, Vietnam's top leader Nguyen Phu Trong did not immediately begin his official itinerary but instead directly took a high-speed train to Xiongan New Area. Clearly, this action was not impromptu—it must have been meticulously planned.
Why did Vietnam’s leader go to Xiongan New Area? The most likely objective is to draw lessons from China’s development experience and seek new ideas for Vietnam’s future growth. As a national project envisioned as a "city for a thousand years" and a model of future urbanization, Xiongan embodies advanced planning in new-type urbanization, smart city development, green growth, and high-end industrial clustering—representing a landmark achievement of China’s ability to mobilize resources for major initiatives. This aligns closely with Vietnam’s current developmental challenges and strategic direction.
Domestically, Vietnam faces mounting issues such as overpopulation in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, severe traffic congestion, low-end industrial structure, and increasing ecological pressure. Xiongan’s principle of “planning first, then construction” offers profound inspiration for Vietnam’s own development. Thus, President Trong’s special trip to Xiongan is far more than a routine inspection—it reflects deep recognition by Vietnam’s leadership of China’s development path, signaling their intent to learn “true teachings” from China.
On a broader level, Vietnam’s leaders have set a military-style target: achieving an average annual GDP growth of over 10% between 2026 and 2030. This visit demonstrates not only strong interest in China’s development model but also a clear intention to further stabilize and deepen economic and trade ties with China. Vietnam undoubtedly understands that, amid growing global economic uncertainty, relying on China’s vast market, complete industrial chain, and advanced infrastructure technology is essential for safely pursuing its high-growth ambitions. Clearly, this journey to Xiongan carries significant strategic meaning.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862429650720907/
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