Articles by Hoang Thi Ha

From Caracas to Cambodia: How far will Washington go?

The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sent shockwaves throughout the world, not least in terms of global rules and what is accepted behaviour. So what can Southeast Asia learn from the US’s recent actions in Venezuela? ISEAS researchers Hoang Thi Ha and Aries A Arugay ponder the question.

Hoang Thi Ha

With us or invisible: The dangerous simplicity of America’s Asia policy

At his maiden Shangri-La Dialogue outing, the US defence secretary laid out a stark and demanding vision for the region’s security. ASEAN and much of Southeast Asia did not feature in it.

Hoang Thi Ha

Railroads and trust: How Vietnam is carefully cultivating closer ties with China

Hanoi’s welcome of the Chinese president amid the global tariff war signals a steadfast commitment to serving Vietnam’s national interests and development, rather than choosing sides.

Hoang Thi Ha

US suspension of foreign aid: Will China fill the void?

As the US shuts down its supply of foreign assistance, some Southeast Asian countries are looking at China to fill the gap. But given China’s different approach to aid, it cannot step in as a direct substitute for America.

Hoang Thi Ha

Trump 2.0: What’s in store for Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asia is unlikely to be a priority in Trump’s foreign policy agenda, but the region will need to strategise its response to the president-elect’s trade and security stances, and his transactional approach.

Hoang Thi Ha

Taiwan’s economic pivot towards Southeast Asia could help maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait

Taiwan is seeking to diversify its economy’s dependence on China towards a greater focus on Southeast Asia. This would yield benefits in more ways than one.

Hoang Thi Ha

Marcos's visit to Vietnam: When Manila's pivot meets Hanoi's pragmatism

Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation in the South China Sea. Digging deeper, however, the two countries are taking distinct approaches in countering the Chinese coercion in the maritime area.

Hoang Thi Ha

Late to the party: Vietnam and the Belt and Road Initiative

Chinese-funded investments into Laos and Cambodia have transformed the geo-economic landscape in Vietnam's immediate neighbourhood. This has caused Hanoi to give China's Belt and Road Initiative another look.

Hoang Thi Ha

How Communist Party of Vietnam achieves 'quantum leaps' in Vietnam-US relations

Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is actively promoting "Vietnamese bamboo diplomacy" as his foreign policy legacy. The concept is not altogether new but it has been riding upon Trong's political ascendency and Vietnam's geopolitical fortunes.

Hoang Thi Ha

India's expanding global influence has limited reach in ASEAN

India is seizing strategic opportunities to emerge as a new global power, but its influence in Southeast Asia is not keenly felt yet. Recent diplomatic accolades that India has achieved with ASEAN, appear to hold more significance in form than in substance. India's lagging influence in Southeast Asia is also closely associated with its limited economic engagement and protectionist policies towards the region.

Hoang Thi Ha

Why is China's Global Development Initiative well received in Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asian countries appear to have unanimously supported China's Global Development Initiative in the hope that it will contribute towards addressing their development deficits and that China will up its economic game more broadly in the region. But a closer examination shows that other considerations continue to worry them.

Hoang Thi Ha

Southeast Asians mull over a Taiwan conflict: Big concerns but limited choices

In the event of hostilities in the Taiwan Strait, Southeast Asian countries will face a difficult dilemma. Their latitude for manoeuvre will be limited, particularly as the Philippines, a key ASEAN member and a US treaty ally, prepares to provide base access to the US in such a contingency.

William Choong