Feature: Friendship between Chinese, Vietnamese youths sparkles, deepens

"They are my friends, all of them," Vietnamese student Nguyen Thu Hong said proudly, pointing to more than a dozen Chinese youngsters she had met for the first time.

On hearing Hong's answer, all the Chinese youngsters shouted clamorously: "That's right!"

On Nov. 9, at the My Dinh national stadium in Vietnam's capital city of Hanoi, there was an effervescent atmosphere full of resounding drum beats and flying colorful flags. Vietnamese youngsters gave a big hand and heartening cheers to their Chinese peers when they entered the meeting hall in groups to attend the grand closing ceremony and arts exchange program of the third China-Vietnam Youth Festival.

Outside the meeting hall, Vietnamese volunteers continuously said "Hello," and "Thank you," in Chinese and Chinese youths one after the other replied in turn in Vietnamese.

In August 2010 and November 2013, China and Vietnam successfully held the first and the second China-Vietnam Youth Festival in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The third China-Vietnam Youth Festival was held in Vietnam for the first time, kicking off on Nov. 7 in the northern border province of Lang Son with the theme: "Chinese and Vietnamese Youths Join Hands in Fostering Friendship."

Nearly 9,000 Vietnamese and 1,000 of their Chinese peers jointly participated in various outstanding activities such as cultural exchanges and sightseeing trips to seven Vietnamese localities.

Before the start of the arts exchange program, nearly 5,000 Chinese and Vietnamese youths either talked to one another, or waved little flags with images of the two countries' national flags on them to create eye-catching waves, or shouted clamorously "1, 2, 3, I love you." Others made rhythmic music using bamboo instruments, while others were happy to snap commemorative photos on their phones.

Chinese student Li Yao from the Wuhan Music Institute, who participated in the festival's activities in the Vietnamese province of Bac Ninh, told Xinhua that when seeing many architectural buildings and woodblock prints which embrace special traits of Vietnam's ancient civilization, she felt that China and Vietnam are very close and that the people of the two countries should always maintain and bolster friendship.

"My Vietnamese friends are very sincere. They have welcomed us with affection from the bottom of their hearts. When leaving Bac Ninh on Nov. 9 for Hanoi, I felt I could not leave, my eyes welled with tears," Li recalled.

The Chinese student said she had no difficulties meeting and talking to her new Vietnamese friends, adding that they freely discussed issues that Chinese and Vietnamese youths are interested in, such as careers and tourism. "We feel that we are from the same family," she said.

Li expressed her hope that China-Vietnam friendship will last forever, with people of the two countries always helping and assisting each other.

Like Li Yao, this was the the first time for a young man named Bai Hongbiao from the Chinese city of Shenyang to visit Vietnam. He took part in a series of the festival's activities in the northern province of Quang Ninh, including a youth forum on the environment and sustainable development.

"I have learned and can fluently say a phrase in Vietnamese," Bai said. "Welcome to China!" he bellowed delightedly, with perfect intonation.

The Chinese man said he and a Vietnamese interpreter named Tran Thi Thuy are getting along superbly, and they have become great friends.

"Such festive activities are of great significance. Tran Thi Thuy and I have developed a strong bond and a fine friendship. We have called for people around us to jointly learn more about the culture, economy and politics of the two countries," the Chinese young man said.

During the arts exchange program, Chinese and Vietnamese youngsters took turns to impress the audience with their singing and dancing performances, which showcased the two countries' cultural identities.

Spectacular dances of Vietnam's Central Highlands region drew the special attention of the audience who gave the dancers a rousing round of applause. And Chinese and Vietnamese singers sang such songs as "Vietnam-China," "Brighter Tomorrow," "Mountains and River Adjoining Each Other," adding to the meeting hall's effervescent and eruptive atmosphere.

Hong, a four-year student of the University of Languages and International Studies under the Hanoi National University, said that through the third festival, her bonds with Chinese friends have become closer and closer and that she does not want to say goodbye to them.

"Such festive activities can help young people of the two countries to connect with one another, and the relationship between the youths is a significant part in the countries' bilateral ties," the Vietnamese student said.

Like Hong, Lam Xuan Thang, another Vietnamese four-year student, has developed a special affection for China. Between the age of two to 10 years old, Thang lived in China with his uncle. After returning home, Thang could not speak Vietnamese.

His Chinese friends at the festival are very important, he said, adding that he was delighted to exchange views with his friends about many issues relating to culture and education. Thang also said he wants to go to China again to conduct deeper research and set himself up in business there.

"During the festival, I didn't have any trouble communicating with my peers and everybody could feel the deep sincerity between us. Such an event plays a very important role in bolstering the friendship between the people of the two countries," he said. Enditem