Vietnam entered the game trying to earn at least one point after losing their previous two games against Saudi Arabia and Australia.
They managed to keep a clean sheet in the first 45 minutes despite China focusing on attacks and pressing in the midfield right from the start. The game ended goalless in the first half.
Zhang Yuning opened the score for China in the 53rd minute from a quick tap-in, after keeper Bui Tan Truong just saved a shot from Wu Lei.
Wu doubled the score for China from a header in the 75th minute.
Vietnam's Ho Tan Tai volleyed in to shorten the gap for Vietnam in the 80th minute, and Nguyen Tien Linh scored 10 minutes later to equalize for Vietnam.
However, China took the lead again as Wu scored his second goal in the last extra minute, setting a victory for China, their first in the final round.
Vietnam's next game will be against Oman on October 12.
They will play China at home on February 1.