ARTICLES

14 Apr 2020

Nguyen Phu Trong’s Rare Appearances: Holding Up?

Ha Hoang Hop|Lye Liang Fook

Speculation about the health of Vietnam’s top leader Nguyen Phu Trong has been rife. The question is whether he will hold up till the upcoming Party Congress in January 2021.

Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

14 Jan 2020

Deadly Clash Brings Vietnam’s Land Disputes into the Spotlight

Le Hong Hiep

Fuelled by inconsistent land management and historical ambiguity over land use rights, land disputes remain a persistent problem in Vietnam. While these disputes rarely affect foreign investors, it is a thorny political issue that the CPV will need to resolve.

Land Disputes Vietnam

7 Jan 2020

Vietnam’s Dilemma in Dealing with Laos’ Mekong Hydropower Dams

Le Hong Hiep

Caught between its growing energy needs and Laos' controversial plans for more hydropower dams along the Mekong River, Vietnam has taken stakes in the projects to influence their development and minimise their environmental impact.

Energy Laos Mekong River Vietnam

8 Oct 2019

Vietnam’s Infrastructure Development Dilemma: The China Factor

Le Hong Hiep

Hampered by a lack of capital funding, Vietnam is faced with the dilemma of balancing the country's infrastructure development needs with the economic and security concerns of accepting loans and investments from China.

Belt and Road Initiative China-Vietnam Relations Infrastructure Vietnam

22 Jul 2019

Stand-off at Vanguard Bank: A Test of Vietnam – China Relations

Ha Hoang Hop|Lye Liang Fook

China's increasingly aggressive and threatening actions off Vietnam's coast has been testing the bilateral relationship between the two countries. While both Beijing and Hanoi have expressed their desire to maintain good relations, the situation is only one accidental collision away from escalation.

China China-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

27 May 2019

Vietnam Extends Anti-corruption Drive Ahead of CPV Congress

Le Hong Hiep

Characterised by its slow but sure approach, Vietnam's anti-corruption campaign has led to the prosecution of an unprecedented number of high-ranking officials. The campaign is set to intensify in the coming years leading up to the Party's 13th national congress in 2021.

Corruption Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

2 May 2019

Why does Vietnam Shy Away from Huawei’s 5G Technologies?

Le Hong Hiep

The absence of Huawei from Vietnam's 5G mobile network rollout is rooted in three key reasons: cybersecurity concerns over Chinese equipment, a desire to develop its own high tech industries, and the need to strengthen the country's security and defence ties with the United States.

China U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

8 Feb 2019

The Significance of the Second Trump – Kim Summit for Vietnam

Le Hong Hiep

As a country rebuilt from the ruins of war, hosting the second Trump-Kim summit will give Vietnam an opportunity to enhance its international standing and play a bigger role in international affairs.

Trump-Kim Summit Vietnam

3 Jan 2019

How to Read Hanoi’s Position on the South China Sea COC?

Le Hong Hiep

The ASEAN-China Code of Conduct negotiations took an unexpected turn when Vietnam started calling for a ban on any new Air Defence Identification Zone over the South China Sea. However, China is unlikely to concede due to its maritime ambitions, and may even harden its stance against these pressures.

China South China Sea Vietnam

11 Dec 2018

Why did Vietnam Cancel its Defence Engagements with the US?

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam cancelled the fifteen defence engagement activities scheduled for 2019 with the United States. Whether it will reverse its decision depends on whether the US will waive sanctions on countries buying military equipment from Russia; the future direction of US-China relations, and China's stance in the South China Sea dispute.

Defence U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam