Viet Nam Inaugurates Consulate General in Chongqing, Strengthening Ties with Southwest China

Chongqing—The Consulate General of Viet Nam in Chongqing was officially inaugurated on October 29, 2025, signaling a new chapter in cooperation between Viet Nam and China's southwestern region. Senior officials from both nations attended the ceremony.

Distinguished guests included Hu Henghua, Mayor of Chongqing City; Long Zhou, Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China; and Pham Thanh Binh, Ambassador of Viet Nam to China, all of whom delivered addresses to express congratulations. Also present were Nguyen Duc Hien, Deputy Head of the Commission for Policy and Strategy of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam; Jiang Guojie, Vice Mayor of Chongqing City; Doan Hoang Minh, Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam; and Bui Nguyen Long, the newly appointed Consul General of the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Chongqing. The event drew representatives from relevant departments, districts, universities, and enterprises of Chongqing; representatives from relevant departments of Sichuan Province; consular officials from countries stationed in Chongqing and Chengdu; as well as representatives of overseas Vietnamese citizens, businesses, and students in China.

Hu Henghua underscored the deep historical ties and close exchanges between Chongqing and Viet Nam in the address. "For many consecutive years, Viet Nam has been Chongqing's major trading partner in ASEAN and a key destination for Chongqing enterprises' overseas investment. The opening of the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Chongqing signals a new chapter in the cooperation between Viet Nam and China's southwestern region. Chongqing will provide the best support and facilitation for the Consulate General and make greater contributions to building the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance."

Long Zhou highlighted the bilateral relationship. "China and Viet Nam enjoy geographical proximity, and we are good neighbors, friends, comrades, and partners with the same vision. Our traditional friendship was forged during our struggles for national independence and liberation. In our efforts to advance socialist construction, we have supported each other and worked together in solidarity. As Viet Nam's sixth consular mission in China, the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Chongqing will further exchanges and cooperation between southwestern China and Viet Nam, improve Viet Nam's consular services in China, and contribute to closer connectivity and pragmatic cooperation between China and Southeast Asian countries."

Pham Thanh Binh emphasized the growing sub-national cooperation. "Along with the positive momentum of Viet Nam-China relations in recent years, cooperation between the two countries' provinces has become increasingly vibrant and effective, standing out as one of the highlights of the bilateral relationship. The Chongqing-Sichuan area is emerging as one of China's major industrial, logistics, and science and technology centers. A growing number of Vietnamese provinces have been promoting friendly cooperation with Chongqing Municipality and Sichuan Province in various fields such as transportation, logistics, high-tech agriculture, tourism, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges."

The jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Chongqing covers Chongqing Municipality and Sichuan Province, with responsibilities encompassing commerce, culture, visa issuance, and consular protection.

A Foundation of Historical Ties and Growing Partnerships

The bond between Chongqing and Viet Nam is rooted in history. The late President of Viet Nam, Ho Chi Minh, lived and worked in Chongqing from 1939 to 1940. Today, the Hongyan Revolutionary Memorial houses a permanent exhibition honoring Comrade Ho Chi Minh, a testament to this shared revolutionary legacy. This historical connection was reinforced by visits from high-ranking Vietnamese officials, including To Lam, former Vietnamese Minister of Public Security (current General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam), in September 2023 and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in November 2024, who presented an oil portrait of Ho Chi Minh during his tour.

Economic cooperation continues to thrive. From January to August 2025, the total trade volume between Chongqing and Viet Nam reached 4.29 billion USD, surging 24% year-on-year, with exports soaring by 111.4%. The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor remains a crucial artery, having moved over 110,000 TEUs of cargo valued at more than 4.66 billion USD by the end of August 2025. Direct passenger flights from Chongqing to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, alongside dedicated cargo routes, have significantly enhanced bilateral connectivity.

People-to-people exchanges are flourishing. Chongqing welcomed 23,100 overnight visitors from Viet Nam in the first eight months of 2025, a 44.9% increase year-on-year. Institutions like Southwest University and Sichuan International Studies University have forged partnerships with Vietnamese universities in education. Over 100 Chinese students have studied in Viet Nam through exchange programs, while Chongqing hosted 376 Vietnamese students in 2024, reflecting its role as an important educational destination.

The Consulate General's opening fulfills a key consensus from bilateral leadership talks and has been highlighted in three successive China-Viet Nam joint statements since 2023. Its operation is set to unlock further potential for cooperation among Chongqing, Southwest China, and Southeast Asia.