ARTICLES

22 Jul 2022

What’s Behind Vietnam’s ‘Bamboo Diplomacy’ Discourse?

Phan Xuan Dung|To Minh Son

Hanoi has been promoting the concept of ‘bamboo diplomacy’ to define its foreign policy of independence and refusal to take sides in international disputes.

15 Jul 2022

Will Vietnam’s Richest Man Be Safe?

Le Hong Hiep

Recent speculation that Vietnam’s richest man, Vingroup chairman Pham Nhat Vuong, might get in trouble with the authorities is probably overwrought. Nevertheless, Hanoi’s anti-corruption campaign means Vietnam’s business owners must tread carefully in their search for profit.

Anti-Corruption Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

6 Jul 2022

Vietnam’s App-based Driver Protests Surge amidst Rising Petrol Prices

Joe Buckley

Collective strikes by app-based drivers in Vietnam are using strategies previously employed by workers from more traditional sectors. As petrol prices rise, the heat is on the app companies to respond to growing demands for change.

Labour Market Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

8 Jun 2022

It Takes Two to Tango: Vietnam-US Relations in the New Context

Hong-Kong Nguyen|Pham-Muoi Nguyen

Vietnam’s delicate balancing act between major powers suggests that it is unlikely to advance a relationship with one power at the expense of another. Instead, it will try to maintain an independent position and promote ties with all powers, where possible.

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

6 Jun 2022

App-based Drivers in Vietnam: More Workers than Contractors

Joe Buckley

There has been a vigorous debate in Vietnam as to whether drivers for digital platforms are workers or contractors. They should be classified as the former.

Digitalisation Labour Exploitation Labour Market Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

25 May 2022

Vietnam and Russia’s Political Alignment: More than Meets the Eye

Hoang Thi Ha|Darren Cheong

A lot of ink has been spilled to explain Vietnam’s reticence to take a stronger position against Russia’s war in Ukraine. One facet of the Russo-Vietnam relationship that has not been discussed as much is the two countries’ political alignment on issues such as human rights and democracy in the global arena.

International Relations Russia Vietnam Vietnam-Russia relations

17 May 2022

PM Chinh Goes to Washington: Equal Importance of Foreign and Domestic Goals

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a successful trip to Washington, which should go some way to advance Hanoi's foreign policy goals and domestic priorities.

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

13 May 2022

The Russia-Ukraine War: Unpacking Online Pro-Russia Narratives in Vietnam

Hoang Thi Ha|Dien Nguyen An Luong

Pro-Russia narratives in Vietnam’s cyberspace are the result of cross-pollination between sentimental attachment since the Soviet era, psychological bias towards Russia embedded in Vietnam’s education and propaganda system, and the overriding imperative to preserve the Vietnamese state’s political and ideological interests.

Vietnam Vietnam-Russia relations

22 Apr 2022

Corruption is the Worst Enemy of the Vietnamese Army

Le Hong Hiep

While there are indications that the Vietnamese government is serious about tackling corruption even in the top ranks of its military, obstacles remain in the fight to eradicate graft. This poses questions about Vietnam’s ability to effectively handle future security threats.

Anti-Corruption Corruption Vietnam Vietnamese Military Vietnamese Politics