ARTICLES

Elite Competition and Narrative Inconsistency in Vietnam’s Propaganda Apparatus

Dien Nguyen An Luong|Nguyen Khac Giang

This Long Read argues that Vietnam’s propaganda apparatus is increasingly shaped by internal tensions between two informal but influential elite coalitions. On one side are conservative actors embedded in the military and ideology apparatus, who prioritise ideological orthodoxy and regime security. On the other are reformist pragmatists, often drawn from diplomatic and economic institutions, who place greater emphasis on performance legitimacy, international engagement, and administrative modernisation.

Grooming New Champions: To Lam Prepares for Private Sector-Led Growth in Vietnam

Nguyen Khac Giang

Resolution 68, issued in May 2025 by the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, marks one of Vietnam’s most dramatic economic policy shifts since Doi Moi. It elevates the private sector from junior partner to the “most important force” of the economy. However, success hinges on overcoming entrenched interests, managing ideological resistance within the CPV, and ensuring disciplined execution of reforms.