The Vietnamese Communists and the Chinese Communists are in a love-hate relationship. The Vietnamese Communists know that they need patronage from the Chinese Communist Party to stay alive. At the same time, they also know that the Vietnamese people resent that greatly. They try to walk a fine line, tiptoeing. To make a long story short, yes, they are under heavy influence from China; however, on the surface they would try their very best to put on a good face that no, they are not under the control of China.
On April 21st, 2015. See this statement in context.