Minister of Finance Nguyễn Văn Thắng (right) welcomes Chinese Ambassador to Việt Nam Ha Wei in Hà Nội on Saturday. — Photo mof.gov.vn

HÀ NỘI — Minister of Finance Nguyễn Văn Thắng recently held a working session with Chinese Ambassador to Việt Nam He Wei to discuss ways to increase cooperation in investment, trade and finance. 

Thang highlighted the robust growth in Việt Nam-China economic ties. Chinese investors now hold more than 6,000 active projects in Việt Nam worth nearly US$35 billion, a substantial figure. Two-way trade surged in the first 10 months of 2025, exceeding $200 billion, with Vietnam exporting about $57 billion to China and importing roughly $150 billion.

He thanked the Chinese Government and people’s $500,000 aid package to help Việt Nam recover from devastating floods in the central and Central Highlands provinces, calling it a reflection of the close friendship between the two countries.

He, for his part, said Việt Nam–China relations are entering a “second golden period”, noting that many Chinese firms are increasing investment in Việt Nam and economic and trade ties are prospering.

According to him, Việt Nam is preparing for the 14th National Party Congress and will enter a new era dubbed as the “era of national rise”, while China is set to roll out its 15th five-year socio-economic development plan, which shares similarities with Việt Nam’s new development vision.

Against this backdrop, the ambassador expected that economic, trade and financial ties would reach a new height, stressing the key role the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance will play.

Thang said China’s sharing of orientations for its 15th five-year socio-economic development plan reveals similarities with Việt Nam’s current and forthcoming development plans. He described the information as highly valuable for the ministry’s policy advice and task performance. He added that the two sides would effectively continue with cooperation along three pillars: finance, strategic infrastructure, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

On infrastructure, he called for continued Chinese support, especially in finance, for the Hà Nội-Hải Phòng-Lào Cai railway project. He also asked the ambassador to encourage more Chinese companies to invest and develop production and business in Việt Nam. 

Turning to SOEs, he said the ministry is proposing that the Politburo issue a resolution to advance SOE reforms. He announced plans to send a high-ranking delegation to China to learn from its SOE overhaul experience, and sought the ambassador’s help to arrange the trip.

The guest agreed with Thang’s ideas, vowing to connect relevant sides on the railway project for direct talks to speed progress. He also pledged all possible support for Chinese firms to expand in Việt Nam, and vice versa. — VNA/VNS