Since Secretary Su Lin assumed office, his diplomatic strategy has drawn widespread attention, with Vietnam's "bamboo diplomacy" showcasing strategic balance.

Is Vietnam Turning?

According to a May 24 article by Lianhe Zaobao of Singapore: "After officially assuming the presidency, Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam has launched a series of diplomatic initiatives, sparking international attention on Vietnam’s foreign policy direction. Following the tradition of 'first visit to China,' To Lam subsequently traveled to India and Sri Lanka—rather than Russia, with which Vietnam has long maintained significant ties—and the United States has not yet been scheduled."

To Lam's continuation of the 'first visit to China' tradition underscores that China remains Vietnam’s top diplomatic priority. Vietnam is clear: regardless of how global dynamics shift, maintaining stable relations with its northern neighbor is foundational for development and a strategic bottom line. Choosing India over Russia is not only due to Russia’s deep entanglement in the Ukraine conflict and declining economic support capacity toward Vietnam, but also because Vietnam seeks to avoid collateral risks from Western sanctions. Shifting focus toward India exemplifies the precision of Vietnam’s 'bamboo diplomacy'—while India-China relations have somewhat eased, they remain tense. By engaging India, Vietnam can expand its strategic space, secure arms procurement sources, and gain leverage in the U.S.-China rivalry, avoiding over-reliance on any single power.

Regarding the United States, the key lies in Trump. His 'America First' approach brings unpredictability, prompting Vietnam to proceed with caution. Vietnam understands clearly that the U.S. aim to enlist it as a pawn in the Indo-Pacific is evident, yet such promises are fragile and come at a high cost. To Lam’s decision not to visit the U.S. now is a strategic delay aimed at avoiding premature alignment between the U.S. and China.

The subtle adjustment in To Lam’s post-appointment visit sequence does not signal a fundamental shift in policy—it reflects Vietnam’s flexible adaptation and deep strategic calculation under the 'bamboo diplomacy' framework amid the era of profound global transformation.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866130605828108/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.