Pham Do An

Pham Do An

Research assistant, Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Pham Do An is a research assistant with the Center for International Studies at Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities. He works on Sino-U.S. strategic competition, East Asian security, and Vietnam’s foreign policy.

Vietnam police officers inspect authorised travel documents of commuters at a checkpoint during the first day of the extended lockdown in Hanoi, Vietnam, 6 September 2021. (Stringer/Reuters)

Vietnam is balancing China-US rivalry with deft statecraft, but for how long?

Vietnam-US relations have continued to flourish even as China continues to express its displeasure and concerns. How has Vietnam maintained the balance between its ideological cohesiveness with China and pragmatic ties with the US? Is Hanoi taking a big risk by developing a deeper relationship with Washington while antagonising its giant neighbour?