The New Engine of Cross-Border Commerce
Cross-border trade is continuously deepening the ties between China and Việt Nam. Recent article in China Daily highlights this relationship, noting that a bustling scene of Vietnamese tourists and shoppers at Hekou Port is a microcosm of the countries’ dynamic partnership. This surge in cross-border shopping is largely fueled by a growing demand for “Made-in-China” products, with Vietnamese consumers increasingly turning to Chinese e-commerce platforms to access a wide range of goods. This consumer frenzy is mirrored by a rise in digital commerce, with livestream studios at the China-ASEAN (Hekou) Cross-border E-logistics Industrial Park buzzing with sales pitches. Many Vietnamese streamers now showcase products directly from Chinese factories, with goods from bonded warehouses able to reach Việt Nam within a week, showcasing the incredible efficiency and speed of this modern digital supply chain.
Complementary and Rapidly Growing Trade Relationship
While consumer products flow south, a robust stream of Vietnamese agricultural goods is being sent north, highlighting the complementary nature of the two nations’ economies. Trucks laden with Vietnamese produce such as dragon fruit, coffee, and lychee are constantly shuttling across the border, with customs clearance taking an impressive average of just ten minutes per vehicle. Trade statistics from Hekou Customs demonstrate the robust growth of this agricultural exchange. In the first half of this year, the value of imported Vietnamese lychees alone surged by nearly 67 percent, reaching $22.4 million. This strong trade is rooted in the highly complementary nature of the countries’ agricultural sectors, with China’s specialty products and machinery finding strong markets in Việt Nam and vice versa. Additionally, collaboration is deepening, as evidenced by Yunnan’s recent export of live sturgeon to Việt Nam and the processing of Vietnamese raw materials into high-value snacks in China, showcasing the growing sophistication of their trade partnership.
Beyond Trade: The Deepening of People-to-People Ties
Beyond the flow of goods, people-to-people exchanges are also binding the two nations together, solidifying their partnership on a grassroots level. Official data shows that in 2025, over 10,600 Vietnamese tour groups, totaling more than 120,000 visitors, entered China through Hekou Port alone, a clear and powerful indicator of the growing cultural and social synergy. This grassroots momentum, fueled by digital platforms and a shared cultural affinity, has cemented a robust partnership, with China remaining Việt Nam’s largest trading partner for over two decades. The scale of this economic interdependence is significant and growing, with bilateral trade between the two countries having exceeded a quarter of a trillion dollars in 2024. The strong foundation of trade and people-to-people exchanges ensures a continued robust relationship and mutual collaboration for the foreseeable future, making their ties a model for dynamic cross-border engagement.
