ARTICLES

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.

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

21 Aug 2023

Vietnam and Thailand’s Rice Cartel is a Hard Sell – but Rice Farmers Need More Help

Nguyen Khac Giang

Vietnam and Thailand have repeatedly sought to form a rice cartel to influence rice prices, but such an initiative faces ethical, political and practical hurdles. A rice consortium pursuing multiple objectives offers a better option for developing the rice sector and supporting rice farmers.

Agriculture Thailand Vietnam

14 Aug 2023

Global Minimum Tax: Boon or Bane for Vietnam’s Economy?

Le Hong Hiep|Phan Xuan Dung

Vietnam’s impending acceptance of the global minimum tax regime for multinational enterprises could be a double-edged sword; the key is to ensure that imposing the minimum tax rate does not drive away major foreign investors.

Economic Development Vietnam

14 Aug 2023

Will Putin Visit Vietnam After Biden? Odds Are Against It

Ian Storey

U.S. President Joseph Biden will travel to Hanoi next month. Russian President Vladimir Putin could be next. This leaves Vietnam in a right (Russian) pickle.

Russia Vietnam