ARTICLES

4 Aug 2020

Vietnam’s Energy Future: Assessing the Nuclear Option

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam has recently floated plans to revive the nuclear power option. However, Vietnam does not need to develop nuclear power at all cost. Instead, it should focus efforts on developing renewable energy and gas-fired power plants, which are safer, more affordable and less controversial.

Nuclear Power Vietnam

23 Jul 2020

Vietnam: Managing Chinese Pressures around Vanguard Bank

Le Hong Hiep

As Vietnam’s recent decision to cancel deals for oil and gas activities in waters around Vanguard Bank caused significant financial and reputational damage, Hanoi should rethink its strategy to avoid similar incidents in the future.

China-Vietnam Relations Oil and Gas Exploration Vietnam

15 Jun 2020

Vietnam’s Ageing Challenge: Getting Old Before Getting Rich?

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam is encouraging young people to get married earlier and have more kids to deal with the consequences of a rapidly ageing population. However, without proper measures to upgrade the skills of the workforce and enhance its productivity, Vietnam will not be able to find a sustainable solution to the problem.

Demography Vietnam Vietnamese Economy

19 May 2020

Foreign Investors Exiting China: Vietnam Milks the Gains

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam stands to benefit from MNCs’ efforts to diversify their production base beyond China. How much it will actually benefit, however, depends on how fast it can roll out measures to further improve its infrastructure and business environment.

China-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

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