Participants of the 2025 China-Vietnam Youth Exchange take a group selfie on July 6 in Guiyang, Guizhou province. [Photo provided to China Daily]
As China and Vietnam mark 75 years of diplomatic ties, youth-led storytelling adds new meaning to a time-tested friendship.
Vietnamese siblings Duong Duc Tam, 27, and Duong Thi Thanh Hien, 21, are capturing the spirit of Guizhou province through their lenses. With a camera and camcorder in hand, they document everything from historical sites and rural landscapes to cutting-edge tech hubs and personal moments. Their goal is to present a vivid and authentic portrait of life in Guizhou to their more than one million followers – mostly young people in Vietnam.
Their inspiration comes from the 2025 China-Vietnam Youth Exchange program, held from July 3 to 6 and jointly organized by the Publicity Department of the CPC Guizhou Provincial Committee and China Daily.
Under the theme "Youth Uniting for the Future", the program brought together youth delegates from China and Vietnam – including the Duong siblings – as well as Vietnamese experts.
Participants visited Guiyang and Zunyi in Guizhou, took part in panel discussions, and contributed to drafting a proposal.
The event is especially meaningful in 2025, which marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam and has been designated the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
This milestone highlights the importance of strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two nations, particularly among younger generations.
Chinese and Vietnamese youth visit the National Big Data (Guizhou) Comprehensive Pilot Zone in Guiyang on July 5. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Vision of friendship
Duong Duc Tam gained a deeper understanding of the event's theme after visiting the historic site of the Zunyi Meeting, where he realized that Guizhou is a land rich in history and vibrant revolutionary culture.
Before this visit, his knowledge of the province had been limited to the Miao ethnic group and Maotai liquor. "I'm very pleased that my understanding of China and Guizhou has grown so much," he said.
He began learning Chinese nine years ago and earned a master's degree from Renmin University of China last year. Since then, he has returned to Vietnam National University to teach Chinese.
Over the years, he has traveled to more than half of China's provinces and interacted with people from all walks of life.
"Young people need to inherit and strengthen the friendship between China and Vietnam, and the first step is to understand each other," he said. "Developing genuine interest in one another is a good start. I hope to do my best to create opportunities for mutual understanding."
In addition to being a lecturer, Duong Duc Tam is also a well-known vlogger who shares a self-designed series of Chinese courses.
He has taught more than 10,000 students, including his sister, Duong Thi Thanh Hien.
At his suggestion, Duong Thi Thanh Hien began learning Chinese in high school and achieved the HSK Level 6 certificate – the highest level of the standardized Chinese proficiency test – by her senior year.
Her fluency also helped her land a position as a host for a Chinese-language news program at Hanoi Radio and Television while she was still at university.
"Many young Vietnamese are becoming increasingly interested in China and learning Chinese," said Duong Duc Tam. "With numerous Chinese companies investing in Vietnam and many opportunities to work in China, we all feel that knowing some Chinese helps reduce barriers and opens opportunities."
For Le Van Dai, a junior at Vietnam National University, a deep passion for the Chinese language and culture has become a defining part of his life. He immerses himself in classical Chinese poetry almost every day and is proficient in classical Chinese writing.
His dedication has earned him several national awards in Chinese language competitions in Vietnam.
"Through Chinese, I can see the world from a different perspective and experience many new things," he said.
During a visit to Huamao village in Zunyi, Le was captivated by the beauty of the local landscape. Quoting a line from the ancient Chinese poem Changgexing (A Slow Song), he recited: "The mallow in the garden green in hue, awaits the sun to dry the morning dew."
He was also impressed by the village's efforts to promote rural tourism. For example, as part of a hands-on activity, visitors collected fresh plants and were guided through the process of making pressed flower paper.
"We have many villages in Vietnam too," he said. "China's progress in developing its rural areas is something we can learn from. I see a lot of possibilities here."
China's technological innovations have also left a lasting impression on Vietnamese youth.
During her visit to the National Big Data (Guizhou) Comprehensive Pilot Zone in Guiyang, 22-year-old Nguyen Thi Hoai Thuong, who is about to pursue a master's degree at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, learned about the concept of the "Digital Silk Road".
Guizhou is actively working to develop an international data hub in support of the Belt and Road Initiative. With major companies like Huawei, Tencent, and Apple establishing a presence in the province, it is at the forefront of big data and cloud computing developments.
"Guizhou is not only rich in history but is also embracing cutting-edge technology," Nguyen said. "Science and technology are highly valued in both our countries, and there is tremendous potential for cooperation. Young people play a crucial role in this effort because we are dynamic and eager to learn."
A Vietnamese delegate tries whisking tea in Guiyang on July 5. [Photo provided to China Daily]
A shared future
Speaking about technology, Duong Thi Thanh Hien pointed to her Huawei smartwatch and said, "I really like Huawei products – they are very high quality. I also have a Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner at home. These Chinese brands are very popular in Vietnam."
But her connection to China goes beyond tech. She grew up watching Chinese TV series like Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber and listening to artists like Hong Kong's Eason Chan and Taiwan's Rene Liu Ruoying.
She believes that the cultures and lifestyles of Chinese and Vietnamese youth are more similar than many people realize.
"Most importantly, the mindset and spirit of young people in both countries are very much alike – we are ambitious, unafraid to dream big, and ready to take action. We all believe in working hard to build a better future," she said.
That same spirit is embodied by Yuan Jiali from Liupanshui, Guizhou. A Vietnamese major at Guizhou Minzu University, she recently completed a yearlong exchange program in Da Nang, Vietnam.
During her stay, she discovered the country's many charms – its stunning landscapes, warmhearted people, and vibrant economy.
"There truly is no barrier between the people of our two countries," she said. "With growing cultural exchanges and economic ties, there is a strong demand for professionals fluent in both languages. I feel drawn to this field and am considering working in Vietnam in the future."
Zhong Yutong, from Nanchang, Jiangxi province, and a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University, is an active participant in cross-cultural exchange programs. On July 6, he hosted a youth panel focused on promoting connection and mutual learning between China and Vietnam.
He believes that the two countries have undergone similar historical experiences and now face comparable opportunities and challenges – making collaboration between them crucial for building a shared future.
On the final day of the event, young participants from both countries issued a joint proposal calling on their generation to take responsibility for strengthening bilateral relations and pursuing common development goals.
"We fully recognize that the achievements of China-Vietnam friendship stem from the unity and cooperation between our peoples. It is vital for young people not only to benefit from this bond but also to contribute to its continued growth," the proposal stated.
"We urge the youth of both countries to seize opportunities, confront challenges across various fields, embrace innovation, and lead with courage."
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