In 2025, China and Vietnam celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, marking this year as the "Year of China-Vietnam People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges." This milestone underscores the deepening and broadening of the friendly ties between the two nations across various fields. Recently, we had the opportunity to join Yang Dexin, a Chinese language instructor at the University of Foreign Languages at Vietnam National University in Hanoi, and a graduate of Renmin University of China(RUC), in experiencing Vietnam’s first urban light rail system—Hanoi Metro Line 2A.
Yang Dexin, a graduate student from the School of International Cultural Exchange at RUC, majored in Chinese International Education. He is now a Chinese language teacher in Vietnam and also works as a self-media blogger. Hanoi Metro Line 2A, introduced by Yang, was built by Chinese enterprises and is Vietnam's inaugural urban light rail. Spanning approximately 13 kilometers with 12 stations, the line takes only 23 minutes to travel its full length, saving nearly one hour compared to traveling by car and 20 minutes faster than by motorcycle. Since its official opening in 2021, the line has transported over 34 million passengers as of March 2025.
This light rail project is a significant symbol of cooperation between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam’s “Two Corridors and One Economic Circle” strategy. It stands as a testament to the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Reflecting on his own experiences in Beijing, where he frequently commuted by subway, Yang shared his excitement about Hanoi Metro Line 2A's development. Although it is still in its early stages, with room for growth in terms of coverage and operational frequency, he is optimistic about its continued evolution.
During his time at RUC, Yang served as president of the Vietnamese Students Association, organizing lectures and cultural exchange activities that helped Vietnamese students gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. Having studied Chinese for eight years, Yang’s dream of becoming a Chinese teacher has now been realized, and he is proud to play a role in bridging the cultures of China and Vietnam.
Yang is particularly excited about the growing exchange and cooperation between the youth of China and Vietnam. As a cultural ambassador, he actively shares Chinese language and culture on social media platforms, where he has amassed nearly one million followers. He believes that well-crafted content can foster greater understanding and friendship between the two nations. In recent years, young people from both countries, including Yang, have played a pivotal role in strengthening people-to-people ties, writing a new chapter of mutual learning between the two civilizations. As the saying goes, "The foundation of China-Vietnam relations lies with the people, the blood connection lies with the people, and the strength lies with the people." With the concerted efforts of the youth, the friendship between China and Vietnam is set to grow stronger, and the fruits of cooperation will continue to flourish.
