In an interview with VOV, the Ambassador said the visit took place in the context of steady development of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with several remarkable achievements. 

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai

Particularly, Mai said, this is the first bilateral official visit to China by a Vietnamese top leader since the COVID-19 pandemic and Mr. Trong's first overseas trip since the conclusion of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is the first foreign high-ranking leader to visit China since the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. The meeting between Mr. Trong and Mr. Xi Jinping will be the first meeting between the two Party General Secretaries in 5 years since November, 2017.

Ambassador Pham Sao Mai said: "Amid the complicated, unpredictable situation in the region and the world and the COVID-19 pandemic, which have adversely affected global politics and economy, the visit is of great importance to boosting and deepening Vietnam-China relations and will contribute to bringing bilateral ties to a new development period. I strongly believe that with advantages, potential, and achievements of bilateral relations and with determination and efforts of the two Parties, the two countries, and the two peoples, the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership will enter a new development period with stronger friendship and cooperation." 

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong left Hanoi on Sunday morning for an official visit to China. The visit is made at the invitation by  Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping.