The 2024 China (Dongxing)-Vietnam (Mong Cai) football friendship match is held in Dongxing. [Photo/China News Service]

The 2024 China (Dongxing)-Vietnam (Mong Cai) football friendship match was held in Dongxing, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Feb 24, which was also the Lantern Festival in China.

Since its inception in 1993, the event has been held 29 times and has evolved into a significant brand event facilitating communication between Dongxing and Mong Cai. After a hiatus of three years, the event was reinstated in 2023.

According to Luo Xiangzhou, director of the Standing Committee of Dongxing municipal people's congress, football has a broad and profound popular base in Dongxing and Mong Cai. Football exchanges between the two regions have a longstanding history, tracing back to the 1950s and 1960s when residents from both areas utilized football as a medium to foster mutual understanding. 

"For the people of both places, watching an exciting football friendship match together on the Lantern Festival has become a fixed program," said Fan Guoqing, director of Dongxing municipal bureau of culture, radio, television, sports, and tourism.

Fan mentioned that this traditional friendship match has not only enhanced the emotional ties and friendship between the people of the two places but also promoted exchanges and cooperation between the two places in areas of economy and trade, tourism, and culture, achieving mutual benefit and joint development.