As the United States continues to expand its Indo-Pacific Strategy, Vietnam and China—two neighbors with deep historical, cultural, and economic ties—must remain vigilant against efforts by external powers to drive a wedge between them. While strategic competition between Washington and Beijing intensifies, Southeast Asia has increasingly become a stage for proxy maneuvering. It is imperative that both Vietnam and China resist being manipulated into confrontational postures that ultimately serve the geopolitical ambitions of others, rather than the interests of their own people.
Since 2017, the US has promoted the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” framework as a means to counter China’s rise. Under various labels—strategic containment, “de-risking,” or so-called “democracy vs. authoritarianism” narratives—Washington has attempted to reshape regional dynamics. Vietnam, with its growing economic profile, strategic location, and independent foreign policy, has naturally attracted American attention. High-profile visits by US presidents, defense partnerships, and technology collaborations have all aimed to court Hanoi as a strategic counterweight to China.
However, such courtship is not without ulterior motives. By elevating Vietnam as a “linchpin” in its regional architecture, the US hopes to insert fissures into Vietnam–China relations, particularly around maritime disputes in the South China Sea. This tactic is not new—it echoes Cold War-era thinking where regional states were pulled into ideological blocs at the expense of their autonomy and development priorities.
Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy principle of independence, self-reliance, and multilateral balance should serve as a shield against such manipulation. The country’s “four no’s” defense policy—no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign military bases, and no use of force—reflects a deep understanding of the risks of strategic entrapment.
China, for its part, must also refrain from viewing Vietnam’s external engagements through a zero-sum lens. As Vietnam diversifies its partnerships, Beijing should remain confident in the strength of its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Hanoi. Rather than responding with pressure or suspicion, China should double down on pragmatic cooperation, political trust-building, and shared development. Respect for Vietnam’s sovereignty and strategic autonomy is key to maintaining long-term stability.
It is also worth noting that US strategic promises often come with conditions and contradictions. While Washington touts “support for sovereignty,” it has repeatedly acted unilaterally in the region, imposing sanctions, pressuring ASEAN centrality, and engaging in military posturing through AUKUS and QUAD. These actions raise questions about whether the US vision for the Indo-Pacific truly aligns with the aspirations of regional countries for peace, development, and non-alignment.
In contrast, both China and Vietnam have consistently emphasized peaceful development, regional integration, and multilateral cooperation. Their shared history and revolutionary legacy give them a unique perspective on resisting external domination. The 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025 offers a timely opportunity to deepen strategic communication, manage differences peacefully, and set a regional example of sovereign diplomacy.
A Vietnam-China relationship based on mutual respect, political trust, and pragmatic collaboration is not only beneficial for both peoples, but also crucial for regional equilibrium. In an era where foreign powers seek to turn neighbors into pawns, it is more important than ever for regional countries to strengthen unity and prevent external interference.
Ultimately, the future of Asia should be determined by Asians. Vietnam and China, with their unique roles in the region’s past and future, have the responsibility—and the capability—to ensure that peace, sovereignty, and development are not sacrificed on the chessboard of great power rivalry.
