President Ho Chi Minh's ideological legacy on international solidarity, particularly Vietnam–China relations, was shaped and nurtured throughout his revolutionary career together with Chairman Mao Zedong and generations of leaders from both countries. This foundation has contributed to the development of today's Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Vietnam and China.
General Secretary and State President To Lam and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on August 19, 2024.
In 1987, UNESCO honored Ho Chi Minh as a “Hero of National Liberation and a Great Man of Culture of Vietnam," recognizing him as a symbol of the aspiration for national independence, peace and social progress. His contributions extended beyond Vietnam, supporting global movements for national liberation and promoting mutual understanding among nations.
From an early stage, Ho Chi Minh recognized the similarities in history, culture and revolutionary aspirations shared by Vietnam and China. During his time in Guangzhou (1924–1927), he trained the first generation of Vietnamese revolutionary cadres, laying the groundwork for the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1930, affirming the principle that “first of all, there must be a revolutionary party."
Between 1944 and 1945, he actively sought international support and coordinated with anti-fascist forces in China, contributing to the success of the August Revolution in 1945. In diplomacy, Ho Chi Minh consistently pursued a policy of peace and cooperation, declaring Vietnam's readiness to “make friends with all democratic countries and bear enmity toward none," aiming to “secure complete and lasting independence for the nation" while helping to “rebuild world peace."
During the resistance wars against France and the United States, President Ho Chi Minh continued strengthening bilateral friendship, emphasizing the spirit of being “both comrades and brothers." He affirmed: “Vietnam and China are two brotherly countries… This struggle has always received and will continue to receive strong encouragement and support from the Chinese people." The Communist Party of China also highly praised his role, stating that “President Ho Chi Minh was an outstanding proletarian revolutionary…"
January 18, 1950 stands as a historic milestone in Vietnam–China relations. Shortly after its founding, the People's Republic of China became the first country in the world to establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The two Parties, States and peoples stood shoulder to shoulder, offering valuable support that contributed to national liberation and socialist construction in each country. Ho Chi Minh stressed: “The Chinese and Vietnamese peoples… are as close as lips and teeth protecting each other… Long live the solidarity between the Chinese and Vietnamese peoples," affirming that bilateral ties would continue to grow for “the freedom and happiness of our two peoples and for safeguarding world democracy and lasting peace."
Entering a new era, the two countries continue to build upon the traditional foundation of friendship under the guiding spirit of being “good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners." Vietnam–China relations have been strengthened through political, economic, defense–security cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. General Secretary and President Xi Jinping emphasized: “The foundation of relations between countries lies in the affinity between their peoples, and such affinity begins with the younger generation." In addition, both sides have organized major friendship activities such as the Vietnam–China Border People's Festival, the Vietnam–China People's Forum, and exchanges between the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, contributing to a stable and sustainable partnership.
A cultural performance celebrating the “Red Tourism – Following President Ho Chi Minh's Footsteps" program and the 2015 Vietnam–China Border People's Festival.
Over the past 75 years, despite occasional ups and downs, friendship and cooperation have remained the mainstream of Vietnam–China relations. The friendship cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong, along with generations of leaders of both countries, has become a valuable shared asset, helping maintain the stable development of traditional bilateral ties.
Ho Chi Minh's legacy regarding Vietnam–China relations remains an invaluable spiritual asset, providing a solid foundation for further deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and advancing the vision of a Vietnam–China community with a shared future, bringing practical benefits to both peoples in the new context.