In springtime, everything teems with vitality.

On April 15, the Museum of the Communist Party of China, located along the extension of the northern end of Beijing Central Axis, welcomed a visitor from afar—To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and President of Vietnam, who was paying a state visit to China at the invitation of Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese President.

Entering the exhibition hall, To Lam paused before historical images and precious exhibits.

He watched a film themed on the Long March with rapt attention, lingering on scenes such as the bloody battle along the Xiangjiang River and the arduous trek over snow-covered mountains; in recreated displays of Chinese household life from different periods, he marveled at the changes of the times; and upon seeing the original Marx manuscripts, he remarked that they were “very precious.”

“This visit has given us a profound understanding of the development journey of the Communist Party of China and of China,” To Lam said.

On April 15, To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and President of Vietnam, visits the Museum of the Communist Party of China. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

China and Vietnam are linked by mountains and rivers, share cultural affinity and common ideals, and have a shared future, enjoying the long-standing friendship featuring “camaraderie plus brotherhood.”

During this visit to China, To Lam published a signed article in Chinese media, saying that during the period of national liberation struggles, the two sides provided each other with valuable support and assistance. Entering the period of national development, the two countries have upheld development paths suited to their respective national conditions, jointly advanced renewal, reform and opening up, and international integration, and achieved many milestones of historic significance.

Vietnam has always remembered and cherished the support and assistance provided by the CPC, China, and the Chinese people during Vietnam’s difficult times, he wrote in the article.

Rare photos from Ho Chi Minh’s visit to China in 1955, and a commemorative silver shield jointly presented to the Chinese side in 1957 by the embassies in China of Vietnam and other countries show that this friendship spanning time has flowed gently through the photographs and exhibits.

Speaking of the revolutionary friendship between Vietnam and China, To Lam said that through this visit, he has come to more deeply appreciate the long history of mutual support between the Vietnamese revolution and the Chinese revolution.

Only by remembering where we came from can we know where we are headed.

On the morning of April 15, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China, together with To Lam, met with Chinese and Vietnamese youth representatives participating in the “Red Study Tour” program.

Over the past year since the program was launched, young people from the two countries have explored together the shared “red” roots of China-Vietnam friendship, experienced the rich panorama of Chinese modernization, and left behind many vivid stories across China of mutual learning and growing affinity.

“Through the program, we have enabled the younger generation to gain a deep understanding and appreciation of the historical ties between our two Parties and our two countries,” To Lam said.

The Communist Party of Vietnam is planning to build its own history exhibition museum. To Lam said he was pleased to see cooperation between Vietnam and China in the development of party history museums, and expressed hope that the two sides will strengthen exchanges in areas such as materials collection and talent training.

At the end of the visit, To Lam left the following message in the guestbook for Vietnam–China relations:

The Communist Party of Vietnam and Vietnam are willing to work with the Chinese side to continue upholding and carrying forward the traditional Vietnam-China friendship featuring “camaraderie plus brotherhood,” develop the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and a community with a shared future of strategic significance, enhance the well-being of the peoples of both countries, and jointly contribute to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world. (Reporters Sun Nan, Zhao Hanze)