How Asean anchors Vietnam’s diplomatic dance between China and the West

“Asean has, to some extent, increased Vietnam’s diplomatic room for manoeuvring when dealing with China,” said Huong Le Thu, deputy director of the International Crisis Group’s Asia programme. “Vietnam’s initial hope was to set its territorial disputes with China in the context of a multilateral dispute” between Beijing and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, she said.

“Vietnam’s policy remains uninfluenced by external forces, and it carefully balances diverse interests under this framework. While Vietnam is cautious in its approach, this should not be mistaken for weakness.”

Vietnam’s trade with Asean soared in the two decades after it secured membership of the bloc – with exports rising sevenfold from US$5.8 billion in 1996 to US$41.49 billion in 2016 – helping advance Hanoi’s economic goals.

“For Vietnam – a socialist country moving towards a market-led economy – cooperation in the context of the Asean Economic Community has been a valuable learning experience,” the International Crisis Group’s Le Thu said.

Vietnam’s active involvement in Asean’s trade, investment, and financial integration has allowed it to wield increasing diplomatic sway within the bloc – particularly among neighbours feeling the pull of China’s economic gravitational force.

As Vietnam has solidified its influence within Asean, it has also leveraged the regional bloc to expand its global economic partnerships in strategic ways.

Observers say this approach has allowed Vietnam to advocate for a balanced, multilateral approach to regional issues.

“Asean’s involvement in preventing conflicts in the South China Sea helps it maintain and reinforce its central role as a driving force in promoting, connecting, and creating multilateral