Feature: Vietnam reacts warmly to Xi's parliament address

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered on Friday a keynote speech on bilateral ties at the Southeast Asian country's National Assembly, receiving warm reaction from the local community.

Nguyen Thi Thuy, a 28-year-old Hanoi accountant, said he was "satisfied and inspired by his words," after catching Xi's speech on TV.

"As Xi said, the Vietnam-China friendship is a precious asset of the two parties and the two peoples. I hope both sides will work together to further develop the relations, for the benefits of our two peoples," said Thuy.

TRADITIONAL FRIENDSHIP

Friendship is a key word in Xi's visit. In his National Assembly speech, Xi attached great importance to the traditional friendship between the two neighbors, reminiscing the era when revolutionaries of both countries helped each other in their fight for self determination and national independence.

Xi stressed the importance of inheriting such bond forged by the founding fathers of both countries, noting the two countries are facing similar challenges and problems in their development.

By maintaining exchanges and learning from each other's experiences, Xi said they can make constructive contribution to the socialist undertakings and the advancement of humanity.

Nguyen Hoang Minh, a parliamentary office staff who sat on the gallery of the National Assembly during Xi's speech, said he thinks party-to-party relations between the two countries are of great importance, and he was glad Xi made many references to it.

"We are both socialist countries, and we have many similarities," said Minh.

ECONOMIC COOPERATION

In his speech, Xi made extensive remarks on economic cooperation, saying both countries are in the process of economic reform.

"I think the most important aspect of our relationship is the economy," said Minh, adding that he thinks that economic cooperation has been mostly good.

Do Nguyet Anh, a Chinese-speaking manager at a handicraft store in Hanoi, echoed the remarks. She believes economic cooperation is the bedrock of bilateral ties.

"I hope President Xi's visit can bring more Chinese customers," said Anh. The shop she helps to run has seen a decline in Chinese tourists in recent years, and she's eager to have them back.

MANAGING DIFFERENCES

Xi's visit came amid warming ties between the two countries, after relations sank to a low point last year due the South China Sea issue.

He said in his speech that the two countries need to maintain peaceful and friendly consultations, properly managing their differences.

Duong Trung Quoc, a popular historian who serves as a National Assembly deputy, said he believes "Vietnamese and Chinese leaders are making efforts to solve remaining problems in the bilateral relations on the basis of mutual equality."

However, Quoc said the leaders need to put their words into actions, noting that more efforts are needed.

As to what kind of efforts should be made, Thuy said that conflicts will do no good to anyone, but cooperation will benefit both sides. Endi