Politics
To Lam’s rise and Vietnam’s move into the former Soviet sphere
Vietnamese leader To Lam’s recent tour of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan was aimed at diversifying Hanoi’s strategic partnerships and securing Moscow’s backing for its military needs and South China Sea claims.
Nguyen Khac Giang
04 Jun 2025
Politics
Xi Jinping in Hanoi: Courting Vietnam for a common destiny?
Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Hanoi presented an opportunity for Beijing to draw Vietnam closer into its sphere of influence, especially since Vietnam has recently upgraded ties with the US and Japan. However, Vietnam's foreign policy will continue to strike a delicate balance between China and the West.
Nguyen Khac Giang
20 Dec 2023
Politics
Stronger US-Vietnam economic ties could also trigger China
The historic upgrade in Vietnam-US relations has more to do with economics than defence and security. The recent visit by US President Joe Biden was an opportunity for both sides to strengthen cooperation in areas such as high-tech manufacturing, including semiconductor production. This is part of the US's "de-risking" strategy in dealing with China.
Nguyen Khac Giang
22 Sep 2023