Hanoi and Xinjiang have considerable potential for tourism cooperation, offering vast opportunities for mutual exploration and development, said Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong during a meeting with a delegation from China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region led by Zhang Zhu, Deputy Secretary of the region’s Party Committee and Secretary of Urumqi City’s Party Committee on November 26.

Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong (r) and Deputy Secretary of the Xinjiang's Party Committee and Secretary of Urumqi City’s Party Committee Zhang Zhu. Photos: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times

Speaking at the meeting, Phong gave an overview of the city's development, saying Hanoi consistently prioritizes international exchange and integration.

Hanoi currently has partnerships with over 100 capitals and cities worldwide, including Beijing and Guangzhou (Guangdong Province) in China. The city strengthens cooperation with Chinese localities in areas such as party building, political system development, economic growth, cultural exchanges, and tourism promotion.

Highlighting Hanoi's strengths in tourism, particularly its appeal to Chinese tourists, he pointed out that the number of visitors from Xinjiang remains modest. Meanwhile, Hanoi residents have shown growing interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations in China, including Xinjiang, signaling significant untapped potential.

Phong suggested that tourism cooperation would be an ideal starting point for fostering a long-term partnership between Hanoi and Xinjiang.

Xinjiang, with its vast and beautiful landscapes, favorable natural conditions, and rich cultural traditions, offers great potential for collaboration. Similarly, Hanoi, with over 1,300 traditional craft villages and diverse products, provides a strong foundation for mutually beneficial exchanges.

Hanoi's Deputy Party Chief warmly welcomed Xinjiang businesses to invest in Hanoi and reiterated the city's commitment to facilitating their participation in Hanoi’s investment promotion events.

Delegates at the meeting.

In response, Zhang Zhu expressed gratitude for Phong's insights, noting that the meeting had broadened the delegation's understanding of Hanoi.

He acknowledged Hanoi's perspective on fostering cooperation with Xinjiang and highlighted the diverse composition of the visiting delegation, representing various sectors and seeking meaningful collaboration to make a positive contribution to Hanoi-Xinjiang and Vietnam-China relations.

Zhang emphasized Xinjiang's strategic advantages, as it spans over one-sixth of China's total area and shares over 5,700 km of borders with neighboring countries, featuring numerous border crossings connecting to West Asia. Most of the goods produced in western China circulate through Xinjiang, making it an important key hub for trade and commerce. The region is also rich in resources, including natural gas and coal, which account for a significant portion of China’s output. Xinjiang’s electricity production not only meets local demand but is also distributed to neighboring areas. Additionally, Xinjiang boasts stunning natural landscapes with diverse ecosystems, ranging from mountains and plains to plateaus, and four distinct seasons.

On this basis, Zhang shared his agreement on the great potential for cooperation, supported by the strong Vietnam-China relationship. He suggested initiatives such as opening direct flights to pave the way for expanded investment and development in other sectors. 

Echoing Zhang’s remarks, Phong wished Xinjiang continued strong development and reaffirmed its role in China’s modern "Belt and Road" initiative. He expressed confidence that cooperation between Xinjiang and Hanoi would not only strengthen ties between them but also inspire broader collaboration between Xinjiang and other provinces in Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia.