With Vietnam recently upgrading ties with the US and Japan, it is now China's turn to charm its neighbor. The two Communist parties are closely linked, but Hanoi cannot afford being too submissive to Beijing.

China's President Xi Jinping will arrive in Vietnam on Tuesday on a mission to strengthen relations, just months after Washington and Hanoi upgraded their diplomatic ties.Hanoi and Washington upgraded to that same level in September.

President Xi Jinping is set to visit Vietnam on December 12 and 13, where he will engage with top state officials to enhance bilateral relations, as announced by the Chinese foreign ministry this week

China will try to boost political trust and economic cooperation with Vietnam when President Xi Jinping visits the communist-ruled neighbour this week. Both Beijing and Hanoi have confirmed Xi’s state visit to Vietnam.

During the visit a multi-billion-dollar rail link and mining of rare earth projects are likely to be finalised between the two sides.