Deng Xiaoping sees off Ho Chi Minh at the Beijing Xijiao Airport in May 1965.[Photo/China News Service]

The Chinese leader selected two socialist nations－Vietnam and Laos－as the destinations of his first trip overseas after last month's Party's 19th National Congress, which also demonstrated China's confidence in a socialist development path, the source said.

"Chairman Ho Chi Minh once compared the Vietnam-China relationship to the one 'between hand and foot, between pestle and mortar, between root and stem and between elder and younger brothers'," Xi said on Thursday ahead of his state visit to Vietnam in a signed article in Nhan Dan, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

After visiting the revolutionary leader's residence, Xi had a talk with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang. Xi offered congratulations on the success of Vietnam's reform and opening-up and the success of the APEC Economic Leaders' Week in Da Nang.

As socialist neighbors and important partners, China and Vietnam have the same political system and common development goals, Xi said, adding that the Communist Party of China attaches great importance to the relations with Vietnam.

The two countries should enhance high-level communications and set the direction of China-Vietnam relations, Xi said.

The Chinese president called on the two sides to boost bilateral trade, jointly work on the Belt and Road Initiative, push forward cooperation in infrastructure, production capacity and a cross-border economic cooperation zone and build major projects.

The two countries should properly handle disagreements, maintain maritime peace and stability and push forward joint exploitation, Xi said.

Quang congratulated Xi on his re-election as general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

The Vietnamese president spoke highly of China's great progress in its social development and the country's important contributions to global and regional peace and prosperity.

Strengthening the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic partnership will not only benefit the people of both sides, but also contribute to global and regional peace and stability, Quang said.

Vietnam would like to make joint efforts with China to implement the important achievements of Xi's visit and push forward practical cooperation in various areas, he added.