ARTICLES

20 Jan 2021

Communist Party of Vietnam Leadership Appointments – The Geography Factor

Ha Hoang Hop|Lye Liang Fook

The Communist Party of Vietnam’s upcoming 13th National Congress will see appointments to the country’s highest political offices. To date, the general secretary and prime minister are selected from two different regions. This a top-down practice that nurtures political groups whose members are connected by their geographical origins. There are indications that Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Tran Quoc Vuong, current standing member of the CPV’s Secretariat, are candidates for the position of general secretary. The former is from the Centre (a break from tradition), while the latter is a Northerner.

Communist Party of Vietnam Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

18 Jan 2021

The CPV’s 15th Plenum: “The Art of the Possible” in Vietnamese Politics

Le Hong Hiep

The Communist Party of Vietnam, which is set to make some historic appointments to its top echelons, shows that Vietnamese politicians know how to master “the art of the possible”.

Communist Party of Vietnam Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

6 Jan 2021

Navigating Vietnam’s Lending App Maze

Nicolas Lainez

Consumer protection and education is needed to tame the expanding digital lending industry.

Technology Vietnam

Motorcyclists ride past a poster with a portrait of the late president Ho Chi Minh

31 Dec 2020

Hanoi’s Policy of Non-Alignment: Sui Generis

Khang Vu

Like its ASEAN colleagues, Vietnam has sought not to choose sides in the ensuring rivalry between China and the United States. But its motivations are of an older and more enduring vintage.

Communist Party of Vietnam Vietnam

A Vietnamese policewoman uses a mobile phone

18 Dec 2020

Could Vietnam Deploy a Social Credit System Like in China?

Nicolas Lainez

While Vietnam offers a favourable authoritarian environment, the inherent political risks may preclude its introduction.

China Technology Vietnam

2 Dec 2020

ASEAN’s Productive Year

Huong Le Thu

ASEAN has faced growing strategic rivalry in the Indo-Pacific, as well as unprecedented health and economic crises this year. While it might have struggled to retain its ability to bring the region together, Vietnam’s artful chairmanship has ensured that ASEAN has, for now, retained its ability to effectively channel regional cooperation.

ASEAN RCEP Vietnam

30 Nov 2020

Vietnam – US Relations Under the Biden Administration

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnamese should not pine over President Trump’s loss and fret over Joe Biden’s victory too much.

U.S. Foreign Policy U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

28 Oct 2020

Vietnam’s Ambitious Politicians: In Facebook We Trust

Dien Nguyen An Luong

Facebook poses a challenge to American lawmakers seeking to rein it in. In authoritarian countries such as Vietnam, however, the social media giant has become a handy accomplice and even a springboard for ambitious politicians.

Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

22 Sep 2020

General Secretary Trong’s Political Future: Stayin’ Alive

Le Hong Hiep

Mr Nguyen Phu Trong has been general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam for two terms, and party rules stipulate that the incumbent cannot hold the position for longer than that. But there is more than meets the eye.

Communist Party of Vietnam Vietnam Vietnamese Politics