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Vietnam’s “Multi-Alignment” Strategy: Friend to All, Ally to None

by Eric Olander
The Vietnamese government is moving quickly to upgrade with major powers as part of a new strategy to avoid getting drawn into a new Great Power competition. Images via AFP.

Most developing countries around the world have stated repeatedly and emphatically that they do not want to be drawn into a new Cold War between the United States and China — few, though, have moved with as much determination as Vietnam to ensure that never happens.

This year alone, Vietnam has upgraded diplomatic ties with the United States and soon with Japan, repeatedly met with China’s Xi Jinping and now embarked on a robust outreach campaign with middle-power states, including Australia, India and South Korea, among others.

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