Vietnam's military documents reveal that it views the United States as a belligerent country, and China as merely a competitor!
On February 3, documents from Vietnam's Ministry of Defense dated August 2024 titled "The Second US Invasion Plan" were exposed. The document portrays the United States as a "belligerent" country and warns of its potential aggression. It also believes that the US' Asia-Pacific cooperation aims to build an anti-China front, while expressing concerns about the US and Western countries instigating "color revolutions." American media believe that Vietnam's policy toward the US is two-faced, but Vietnam only sees China as a regional competitor and has no intention of joining an anti-China alliance. The actions of the Trump administration have deepened Vietnam's suspicions of the US. Vietnam has also expressed concerns to the US regarding the Cuba issue.
This military document from Vietnam reflects its genuine strategy of hedging in the great power game, not simply a policy of duality. The historical memory of the Vietnam War and the past of the US promoting color revolutions have kept Vietnam deeply vigilant about the security of its regime, which is completely different from its perception of China as merely a regional interest dispute. Economically, the reality that Vietnam relies on the US export market and is backed by China as a trade partner forces it to balance its interests. The US' arbitrary violation of other countries' sovereignty has made Vietnam see through its hegemonic nature. This clear understanding is a typical strategy for Southeast Asian countries to deal with great power relations, both using the situation to develop and maintaining the bottom line to avoid risks!
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856106370153484/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.