ARTICLES

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.

This picture shows fishermen working near the first towers of wind turbines from Vietnam's first wind power plant along a sea coast on the southern coastal province of Bac Lieu. The Bac Lieu wind power plant has a capacity of some 99,2 MW from a total of 62 wind turbines. (Photo by DUY KHOI / AFP)

2 Nov 2023

Can Vietnam Reach Its Offshore Wind Power Goals?

Phan Xuan Dung

Vietnam has an impressive slew of offshore wind power projects on the drawing board. But due to various technical and legal constraints, the country is unlikely to hit the 6 gigawatt target by 2030.

Climate Change Energy Vietnam

US President Joe Biden attends a welcoming ceremony hosted by Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (2L) at the Presidential Palace of Vietnam in Hanoi on September 10, 2023. Biden travels to Vietnam to deepen cooperation between the two nations, in the face of China's growing ambitions in the region. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

24 Oct 2023

Nguyen Phu Trong’s ‘Bamboo Diplomacy’: Legacy in the Making?

Hoang Thi Ha

Vietnam’s General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is actively promoting “Vietnamese bamboo diplomacy” as his foreign policy legacy. The concept is not altogether new but it has been riding upon Trong’s political ascendency and Vietnam’s geopolitical fortunes.

U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

18 Oct 2023

Hot “Furnace” at Home, Cool Relationships Abroad

Nguyen Khac Giang

Vietnam’s 8th Party Plenum underscores Hanoi’s two-pronged bid to maintain solid relations with external powers in the West and tightening the screws on civil society at home.

Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

25 Sep 2023

China-Vietnam Party-to-Party Ties: A Tie that Binds

Lye Liang Fook

Vietnam appears to be drawing closer to the U.S. with the recent upgrade in ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This development, however, should not be overestimated as Vietnam-China relations, especially party-to-party ties, remain strong.

China-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

U.S. President Joe Biden makes a toast with Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong (R) during a State luncheon at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on September 11, 2023.

15 Sep 2023

Vietnam and Washington’s “De-risking” Strategy: It’s the Economy, Stupid

Nguyen Khac Giang

The historic upgrade in Vietnam-U.S. relations has more to do with the economics than defence and security.

China Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

15 Sep 2023

Vietnamese Perceptions in a Changing Sino-US Relationship

Sharon Seah|Indira Zahra Aridati

Data from the State of Southeast Asia Surveys from 2020 to 2023 suggests that while Vietnamese opinion-leaders’ views of China have oscillated over the past four years, trust in the US remains consistent.

China U.S. Vietnam

28 Aug 2023

Why Hanoi May Agree to a Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Le Hong Hiep

If Hanoi agrees to a comprehensive strategic partnership with the U.S., it would represent a remarkable breakthrough in bilateral ties. Still, such a partnership would not represent a significant shift in Hanoi’s foreign policy.

U.S. U.S.-ASEAN Relations Vietnam

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

24 Aug 2023

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.

Misinformation Philippine South China Sea Vietnam