Bridge of Friendship: Strengthening Vietnam-China Cooperation
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Lu Jingru, former nurse at Nanxi Shan Hospital (Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, China):

Vietnam’s prosperity today was built on sacrifices and losses

Lu Jingru shared that her time working at Nanxi Shan Hospital at the age of 17-18, during the aid period for Vietnam, was an unforgettable memory. At that time, young nurses like her directly treated wounded and sick Vietnamese soldiers.

Lu Jingru expressed her joy at the changes and prosperous development of Vietnam. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

She recalled emotionally that in those days, living with the wounded, the nurses not only provided medical care but also learned the spirit of courage, resilience, and fearlessness of sacrifice. She said: “Some of those soldiers were just our age when they went to the battlefield. Seeing them - some missing an arm, others a leg-made me deeply saddened. But their optimism and ability to find joy in hardship motivated us to work even harder, because we felt that caring for the wounded was also a way to support Vietnam’s resistance.”

After work hours, the Chinese nurses often went to the wards to learn Vietnamese and practice singing songs like “Vietnam-China” and “Liberate the South” directly from the wounded soldiers. “Everyone sang, danced, and organized many activities during holidays and festivals. We lived together like brothers and sisters, like family members,” she said with emotion.

On this return to Vietnam, Lu Jingru expressed her joy at the changes and prosperity. She shared: “From the moment we landed at the airport, we were warmly welcomed by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. Entering the city, I was filled with excitement at the sight of high-rise buildings, wide-open roads, and vibrant colors of flags and flowers. Witnessing today’s development makes me feel even more deeply the value of peace. This prosperity was built on the sacrifices and losses I once witnessed with my own eyes.” She expressed her belief that Vietnam will continue to grow stronger, and that China-Vietnam friendship will be inherited and carried forward by younger generations through continuous exchange and learning.

Liu Honglin, Party Secretary of Nanxi Shan Hospital:

Nanxi Shan Hospital is a “window of friendship” between Vietnam and China

Liu Honglin, Party Secretary of Nanxi Shan Hospital, said that the hospital was established under the direction of Premier Zhou Enlai, specializing in receiving and treating Vietnamese wounded soldiers during the resistance against America. From 1969 to 1975, the hospital treated over 5,400 wounded cadres, performed 2,576 surgeries, and donated nearly 780,000 milliliters of blood.

Liu Honglin sent wishes of prosperity and flourishing to Vietnam on the occasion of the 80th National Day. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Today, the hospital has become a “window of friendship” with Vietnam. Since 2010, the hospital’s traditional exhibition hall has received 50 Vietnamese delegations with nearly 2,000 visitors. The hospital has also maintained close cooperation with the health sectors of the four border provinces of Quang Ninh, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Tuyen Quang. At the end of August, the hospital director, together with a Guangxi medical delegation, signed a memorandum of cooperation with Bai Chay Hospital in Quang Ninh Province. Both sides have shared knowledge and experience to improve medical techniques and will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the future.

Liu Honglin emphasized that the youth of the two countries need to enhance exchanges to become cultural ambassadors, professional collaborators, and worthy inheritors of traditional friendship. On the occasion of Vietnam’s National Day, he wished the country prosperity and everlasting, flourishing China-Vietnam friendship.

Tan Liying, Director of the Ho Chi Minh Exhibition House in Longzhou County (Guangxi, China):

Continuing the story of friendship from a legacy

As Director of the Ho Chi Minh Exhibition House in Longzhou County, Tan Liying affirmed that the site preserves historical memories of traditional China-Vietnam friendship and serves as a spiritual bridge between the peoples of the two countries. She expressed her hope that through communication and educational activities, the younger generations of both nations will continue to cherish the sentiments that revolutionary predecessors had built.

Tan Liying (left) hopes China-Vietnam cooperation will become increasingly strong and fruitful. (Photo: Ngoc Anh)

The exhibition house has implemented a “red journey” research tour and will soon expand the “Ho Chi Minh footprint” tourism route across Guangxi. In the future, Tan Liying said the house plans to apply modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to build more immersive exhibition experiences, aiming to spark youth interest and enhance educational effectiveness. “We hope China-Vietnam relations will grow ever stronger and better,” she shared.

Lu Guoge, docent of the Ho Chi Minh Exhibition House in Longzhou County:

Passing on the flame of friendship to the younger generation

As a docent, Lu Guoji deeply feels the importance of the Exhibition House in educating about traditions, helping the younger generation understand and continue the friendship. She shared that when Vietnamese visitors come, they often recount many historical memories of their forefathers with Chinese revolutionaries, which deeply moves the exhibition staff and strengthens their determination to convey historical values.

Lu Guoji (center) with the Chinese delegation visiting the Vietnam History Museum during the trip to attend the celebration of Vietnam’s 80th National Day.

Chinese visitors also highly appreciate the detailed documents on display, which faithfully reflect the profound friendship between the two countries. In her role, she hopes to contribute to spreading this traditional friendship to the younger generation, so that the youth of both countries will have more opportunities for comprehensive cooperation and exchanges in the future.

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