China’s “Handsome Boy Band” Honor Guard Steals the Spotlight at Vietnam’s National Day Parade, Signalling a Soft‑Power Diplomatic Thaw}
In a surprise that lit up social media across both Hanoi and Beijing, a polished contingent of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Honor Guard – affectionately dubbed “China’s most handsome boy band” by netizens – took the ceremonial spotlight at Vietnam’s National Day parade on September 2. The visually striking unit, clad in crisply tailored dress uniforms and moving in flawless synchrony, was the first Chinese military presence at the event in more than a decade, and its appearance quickly became a viral sensation.
3 September 2025
The parade, traditionally a showcase of Vietnam’s own armed forces, was opened by the ceremony’s usual fanfare of marching troops, military hardware and aerial displays. Midway through, the PLA honor guard stepped onto the dais, carrying the Chinese flag and executing a series of precision drill movements that drew cheers from the assembled crowd. Young Vietnamese women in the front rows were particularly vocal, filming the soldiers on their phones, snapping selfies and chanting “handsome!” in a mixture of Vietnamese and Mandarin. Within minutes, short clips of the ceremony were flooding Weibo, TikTok and Facebook, where Chinese users praised the “dashing” appearance of the men in their immaculate uniforms, while Vietnamese commenters expressed a blend of admiration and curiosity.
The event carries weight far beyond the realm of ceremonial pageantry. For years, the relationship between China and Vietnam has been defined by a delicate balance of cooperation and rivalry, with lingering territorial disputes in the South China Sea periodically flaring into diplomatic friction. By extending an invitation to a Chinese honor guard – and by accepting it – Hanoi signaled a willingness to engage more openly with its powerful northern neighbour. Analysts see the move as part of Vietnam’s broader strategy of “multi‑directional” foreign policy, aiming to diversify diplomatic ties while avoiding overt alignment with any single power bloc.
From Beijing’s perspective, the honor guard’s participation offered a low‑risk, high‑visibility opportunity to project soft power in a region where Chinese influence is increasingly contested by the United States, Japan and India. The carefully choreographed drill, coupled with the light‑hearted moniker “most handsome team,” turned a military display into a pop‑culture moment that resonated across social platforms. In a year marked by heightened tensions over maritime claims, the image of disciplined, smiling soldiers marching side‑by‑side with Vietnamese troops presented a reassuring narrative of camaraderie rather than confrontation.
The public response in Vietnam has been strikingly positive. Video footage of the Chinese soldiers interacting with local spectators – exchanging smiles, shaking hands and even posing for group photos – has been shared millions of times, often accompanied by emojis of hearts and clapping hands. This wave of friendly interaction challenges the stereotype of pervasive anti‑China sentiment that has occasionally surfaced in Vietnamese media. Instead, it suggests that cultural diplomacy, even in the form of a well‑executed military parade, can bridge long‑standing gaps in perception.
While the immediate economic implications are subtle, a warmer diplomatic atmosphere could translate into greater trade and investment flows. Vietnam remains a crucial node in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and improved bilateral trust may encourage Chinese firms to deepen participation in Vietnamese infrastructure projects, technology parks and manufacturing supply chains. Moreover, the positive public image cultivated by the honor guard’s appearance could boost tourism; Chinese travellers, reassured by the friendly reception, may feel more inclined to visit Vietnam’s historic sites, while Vietnamese tourists might be more welcoming of Chinese cultural products and entertainment.
Defense cooperation could also see a modest uptick. The honor guard’s presence underscores China’s readiness to engage in joint ceremonial events, a stepping stone that could pave the way for more substantive military exchanges, training programmes or joint exercises – all of which would be framed within a narrative of mutual respect rather than strategic competition.
In sum, the seemingly whimsical label of “China’s most handsome boy band” belies a nuanced diplomatic gesture that reverberates across politics, society and economics. The PLA honor guard’s march through Hanoi’s National Day parade was more than a display of military precision; it was a calculated soft‑power play that captured public imagination, signaled a subtle thaw in bilateral relations, and hinted at a future where cultural affinity and strategic interests intersect more fluidly in Southeast Asia.