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How Vietnam’s Non-Aligned Foreign Policy Helps Bolster Its Position in the South China Sea

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · 1d

China isn't the only country ignoring Hanoi's island-building activities. The US, the Philippines, ASEAN, and even Taiwan also downplay Hanoi's actions. I explain @thediplomat.com how Hanoi's non-aligned foreign policy has muted international reactions.
thediplomat.com/2025/10/how-...

Hanoi’s expansion of its outposts in the Spratly Islands has prompted little opposition from rival claimants, including China.

Are there actually North Korean troops inside Ukraine?

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · 28d

Are there North Korean troops in Ukraine? Recent media reports claim that there are. However, as I explain for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social, those reports lack reliable evidence of North Korean soldiers operating beyond Kursk.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

With no reliable evidence of North Korean soldiers beyond Kursk, the reality isn’t matching the media hype.

Why Vietnam’s Demographic Decline Will Reinforce Its Non-Aligned Foreign Policy

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Aug 26

In my latest for @thediplomat.com, I explain why Vietnam's demographic decline will reinforce Hanoi's non-aligned foreign policy. Eschewing foreign military commitments and modernizing armed forces will be vital to managing the decline.
thediplomat.com/2025/08/why-...

The country’s falling birthrate increases the urgency of creating a streamlined military deterrent – and maintaining good relations with regional powers.

Kim Jong-un builds destroyers his grandfather never could – to what ends?

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Aug 19

In my latest for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social, I dissect North Korea's logic behind its ambitious naval modernization program. The program makes little military sense, but it helps Kim Jong-un cement his legacy entering his 15th year of supreme leadership.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Pyongyang’s navy program drains resources from proven deterrents but gives Kim a legacy project to rival his ancestors.

Thailand-Cambodia clashes pose a serious test to ASEAN centrality

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Jul 28

The Thailand-Cambodia clash is testing ASEAN centrality. Learning from the lesson of the Vietnam-Cambodia border war of 1978, ASEAN should avoid great-power intervention and settle the dispute peacefully and diplomatically. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Border violence between two members undermines the bloc’s credibility and risks drawing in great power competition.

Why Vietnam Will Not Balance Against China

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Jul 16

Vietnam is different from the rest of Asia in that it doesn't depend on U.S. for security and China for trade. In fact, the opposite is true. Because VN prioritizes security over economy, Trump using tariff to isolate it from China will fail. My latest.
thediplomat.com/2025/07/why-...

Vietnam is different from the rest of Asia in that it does not depend on the U.S. for security and China for trade. In fact, the opposite is true.

Can Seoul’s soft diplomacy break the Russia–North Korea alliance?

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Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Jul 14

South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung will have to address the Russia-North Korea alliance. However, like his predecessor Yoon Suk-yeol, Lee will not be able to break it. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Pyongyang is reaping the benefits of its relationship with Moscow. South Korea’s new president wants to woo them back.

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Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · May 27

Pleased to share that I will be heading to Singapore for the IISS 22nd #SLD25 this week. If you happen to be in town, let's grab a drink!

Understanding The Logic of Vietnam’s Reconciliation Policy

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · May 14

As long as former enemies respect Vietnam’s territorial integrity & political system, VN is ready to make amends with them like with France, US, China. RVN sympathizers should respect VN's political system for reconciliation to begin. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/05/unde...

Hanoi is willing to let bygones be bygones, but many RVN sympathizers refuse to accept the legitimacy of the country’s communist political system.

Why has North Korea finally admitted its troops are dying in Russia’s war on Ukraine?

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · May 13

North Korea's growing casualties and its plan to send more troops to Russia are unnerving the population. Pyongyang acknowledging its troops dying in Russia is to soothe public anger and justify more troop dispatch. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

Not even the Hermit Kingdom is immune to domestic pressure.

Trump’s Tariffs Won’t Change the Trajectory of Vietnam’s Foreign Policy

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Apr 7

Trump's 46% tariffs on Vietnam won't change the trajectory of Vietnam's foreign policy vis-a-vis the major powers, but they suggest to Vietnam that Hanoi is dispensable despite what the US says about Vietnam's geopolitical importance. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/04/trum...

The country’s economic response to the tariffs will be guided by its multilateral and diversified foreign policy approach.

After Yoon’s impeachment: The steep path to get the Koreas talking again

Reposted by Khang Vu

Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · Apr 4

A smart quick reax from @khangxvu.bsky.social to the extraordinary conclusion of the Yoon presidency in South Korea. History echoes - with Donald Trump in the White House, and the prospect of getting back to talks with North Korea. But it won't be fast. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

South Korea is headed back to the polls, just like its 2017. But different.

After Yoon’s impeachment: The steep path to get the Koreas talking again

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Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Apr 4

Yoon Suk-yeol's removal has opened a pathway for a Lee Jae-myung presidency. However, the path back to inter-Korean dialogue will be steep due to North Korea's alliance with Russia and South Korea's domestic polarization. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

South Korea is headed back to the polls, just like its 2017. But different.

South Korean court removes president from office, says he violated duties

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Apr 4

South Korean court removes president from office, says he violated duties
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his attempt to impose martial law, a decision expected to exacerbate political divisions.

www.washingtonpost.com

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Mar 28

I want to thank the ISEAS team for handling this case with professionalism and fairness to all the parties involved. I sincerely hope not to have to deal with academic misconduct again in the future.

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Mar 28

After a three-month investigation by ISEAS, Phuong was found to have neglected citing works where he must have cited them. Phuong's article was republished today with appropriate citations and a correction notice.

2024/98 “The Funan Techo Canal and Vietnam’s Maritime-Continental Dilemma” by Nguyen The Phuong

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Mar 28

Nguyen The Phuong of UNSW Canberra neglected to cite my works on Vietnam's grand strategy and maritime-continental dilemma in his ISEAS article published in November 2024. He also did not cite other authors and presented those ideas as if they were his.
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...

Cambodia’s Funan Techo Canal Project has significant environmental implications for both Cambodia and Vietnam.

www.iseas.edu.sg

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Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Mar 20

North Korea's decision to seal its border to tourists one month after opening it seems puzzling. However, the country has reasons to reverse course because it wants to keep its population unaware of troop casualties in Russia. Latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

The North Korea tourist trap

The border opened to foreign visitors for only a month before being sealed again. North Korean troops in Russia might be the reason.

What Southeast Asian Countries Can Learn from Vietnam’s History of Negotiating Territorial Disputes with China

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Mar 17

Southeast Asian countries involving the US into their maritime disputes with China may be counterproductive because it hardens Chinese attitude toward SEA. SEA should learn from Vietnam's experience of settling disputes with China. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/03/what...

The involvement of an extra-regional great power in a small power’s territorial disputes with China may prove counterproductive.

Vietnam’s “Era of National Rise” with Khang Vu | Southeast Asia Radio | CSIS Podcasts

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Mar 17

Thank you so much!

Reposted by Khang Vu

Gregory Poling @gregpoling.bsky.social · Mar 6

On today's SEA Radio podcast, Elina Noor and I chat with @khangxvu.bsky.social about Vietnam's massive govt restructuring plans and "Era of National Rise" www.csis.org/podcasts/sou...

Greg and Elina talk with Khang Vu. They discuss Vietnam’s bureaucratic reforms and its declaration of an “Era of National Rise.”

www.csis.org

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Reposted by Khang Vu

Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · Feb 19

Eyeballs - Newsweek quotes @khangxvu.bsky.social from Interpreter @lowyinstitute.bsky.social and his analysis on the North Korean troops fighting with Russia against Ukraine. www.newsweek.com/trump-says-m...

Trump says North Korean soldiers "wiped out" in Ukraine war

Ukraine has said approximately one-third of the 11,000 North Koreans believed to have been deployed to Russia have been killed or injured.

www.newsweek.com

Will North Korea support a US-Russia deal to end the war in Ukraine?

Khang Vu @khangxvu.bsky.social · Feb 19

If Russia can balance between US and North Korean needs in its negotiation with the US, N. Korea could entrust Russia, rather than S. Korea, to be the mediator brokering US-North Korea talks. My latest on the implications of US-Russia talks.

Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · Feb 19

It seems absurd, the idea of North Korea being party to peace negotiations over the future of Ukraine. Yet it's part of the fight. By @khangxvu.bsky.social www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

It’s another party to the conflict, after all.

Will North Korea support a US-Russia deal to end the war in Ukraine?

Reposted by Khang Vu

Daniel Flitton @danielflitton.bsky.social · Feb 19

It seems absurd, the idea of North Korea being party to peace negotiations over the future of Ukraine. Yet it's part of the fight. By @khangxvu.bsky.social www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...

It’s another party to the conflict, after all.