ARTICLES

17 Jun 2026

Havana in the Crossfire, Hanoi in a Bind

Nguyen Khac Giang|Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam has a chance to prevent a potential disaster in Cuba, given its unique position.

US Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

9 Jun 2026

Unleashing Officials, Unlocking Funds: PM Le Minh Hung Confronts Vietnam’s Economic Challenges

Tuan Ho

Vietnam’s new prime minister needs to disburse idle public funds. His previous role helming the Communist Party’s personnel system should help him galvanise officials who prioritise an overly cautious approach over rapid progress.

Vietnam Vietnamese Economy Vietnamese Politics

9 Jun 2026

To Lam’s Regional Tour: From Hedger to Shaper

Nguyen Khac Giang

To Lam’s regional tour of Southeast Asia shows that Hanoi is shifting to a posture of shaping the rules of the game, rather than merely seeking to mitigate the risks of a fluid strategic environment.

ASEAN Security Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

5 Jun 2026

Beyond Bamboo Diplomacy: Vietnam’s Shrinking Room for Manoeuvre

Nguyen Phuong Linh

Vietnam’s foreign policy has typically been described as bamboo diplomacy. This still holds true, but decision-making is increasingly being constrained by domestic considerations.

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

4 Jun 2026

Vietnam’s Reconfigured Leadership: Personnel and Power in the “New Era”

Nguyen Khac Giang

This Long Read assesses one of Vietnam’s most consequential leadership transitions in decades, following the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in January 2026 and the 16th National Assembly elections in March 2026.

Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

15 May 2026

Ideology as Scaffolding: Vietnam’s Socialist Rhetoric Under To Lam

Lam Duc Vu

Can substance support rhetoric in Vietnam’s growth story, as its ruling Party prepares to mark its centennial in power?

Economic Development Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

7 May 2026

BT or Not BT: Vietnam’s Infrastructure Development Dilemma

Le Hong Hiep

Vietnam has revived Build-Transfer projects five years after banishing them for corruption risks. The efficiency and development reasons are clear — as are the perils that demand stronger institutions.

Corruption Economic Development Vietnam Vietnamese Economy Vietnamese Politics

30 Apr 2026

To Lam’s Visit to China: Charting a ‘New Era’ in Sino-Vietnam Ties

Phan Xuan Dung

To Lam’s recent visit to China helps Vietnam to realise its national ambitions. Hanoi is mindful of the risks of such an engagement, which will need to be managed carefully.

China China-Vietnam Relations Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

21 Apr 2026

Piloting Pragmatism: Vietnam’s Aircraft Diplomacy through the COMAC Deal

Hoang Thi Ha

Vietnam’s tilt towards the use of Chinese-made COMAC aircraft represents more a calculated experiment than a strategic pivot.

China China-Vietnam Relations Vietnam Vietnamese Politics

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese President To Lam to Beijing, China, on 15 April 2026. (Photo by Shen Hong / XINHUA / Xinhua via AFP)

20 Apr 2026

From Partnership Expansion to Strategic Coherence: Vietnam’s Next Foreign Policy Challenge

Nguyen Chi Thanh

Vietnam’s pursuit of Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships has long been part of its foreign policy calculus. The challenge now is maintaining coherence across this wider network.

Foreign Policy Vietnam Vietnamese Politics