Vietnam Tries to Escape the U.S.-China Trap

Hanoi has been quietly expanding partnerships beyond the Indo-Pacific.

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Hanoi December 9, 2025, 5:12 AM

Amid the drumbeat of war and conflict, it’s easy to overlook more subtle geopolitical shifts. One such shift occurred in November, when Vietnam elevated its partnerships with Algeria, Kuwait, and South Africa following visits by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the three countries. At first glance, this may seem like a nothingburger: After all, Hanoi has been upgrading partnerships with various countries and maintains many such partnerships around the world.

However, Vietnam’s latest moves are different due to the current geopolitical climate and

See Full Page