ARTICLES

1 Feb 2024

Marcos’s Visit to Vietnam: When Manila’s Pivot Meets Hanoi’s Pragmatism

Hoang Thi Ha|Aries A. Arugay

Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation in the South China Sea. Digging deeper, however, the two countries are taking distinct approaches in countering the Chinese coercion in the maritime area.

24 Jan 2024

“Feigning Death to Catch Crows”? Vietnam’s Succession Conundrum

Nguyen Khac Giang

Recent rumours of Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s ill health and even death were greatly exaggerated. However, the speculation highlighted the weakness of the Party’s thinking and preparation for the inevitable political succession.

Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

4 Jan 2024

The Unexpected Twist in Vietnam’s Renewable Energy Saga

Le Hong Hiep

Punishment awaits the senior officials who allowed Vietnam’s renewable energy quest to go off the rails, despite its apparent initial success. This policy crisis has the potential to affect other economic sectors if no clear end is in sight.

Energy Renewable Energy Vietnam

Protesters wave flags and hold placards in front of the Chinese Consulate in Makati, Metro Manila

29 Dec 2023

2023 Top 10

Troubled Waters Ahead for Philippine-Vietnam Strategic Partnership on the South China Sea

Phan Xuan Dung

Vietnam and the Philippines have formed a strategic partnership in the South China Sea. By reinforcing their respective claims to the area, however, they are vulnerable to a wedge strategy by third parties such as China.

2023 Top 10 Misinformation Philippine South China Sea Vietnam

28 Dec 2023

2023 Top 10

“Red Card” for the President? Vietnam’s Biggest Political Drama in Decades

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc might be removed from his position. If online speculation is true, Phuc will become the first Vietnamese president to be ousted while still in office.

2023 Top 10 Corruption Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

21 Dec 2023

Road to Carbon Zero in Southeast Asia: Spur Innovation and Price Carbon

Vinod Thomas

Southeast Asia needs to take a two-track approach to attain the target of halving carbon emissions.

Climate Change Indonesia Singapore Southeast Asia Vietnam

18 Dec 2023

Xi Jinping in Hanoi: Courting for a Common Destiny?

Nguyen Khac Giang

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Hanoi presented an opportunity for Beijing to draw Vietnam closer into its sphere of influence, especially since Vietnam has recently upgraded ties with the U.S. and Japan. However, Vietnam’s foreign policy will continue to strike a delicate balance between China and the West.

China china politics China-Vietnam Relations Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

14 Dec 2023

Late to the Party: Vietnam and the Belt and Road Initiative

Hoang Thi Ha

Chinese-funded investments into Laos and Cambodia have transformed the geo-economic landscape in Vietnam’s immediate neighbourhood. This has caused Hanoi to give China’s Belt and Road Initiative another look.

China-Vietnam Relations Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

A scrap dealer carries stacks of plastic waste on his make-shift motorcycle-cart in Hanoi. (Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)

23 Nov 2023

Turning the Tide: Vietnam’s War Against Plastic Waste

Nguyen Khac Giang

Vietnam has ambitious targets to tackle the challenge posed by plastic waste. But the key here is effective enforcement and implementation.

Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

Rare earth elements are a group of 17 elements many of which are crucial for use in technology such as catalysts, magnets, special alloys, glass and high performance electronics. China has 37.9% of the world's reserves of rare earth elements. (Photo by Wang chun lyg / Imaginechina / Imaginechina via AFP)

8 Nov 2023

Vietnam’s Rare Earth Ambitions: Economic and Strategic Drivers

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam is seeking to develop its rare earth industry at a time when global demand for such minerals is increasing. Its motivations are not merely economic, but also strategic.

China-Vietnam Relations U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam Vietnamese Politics