WASHINGTON —
Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has hailed improved relations with the U.S. and China as significant gains in the country’s "bamboo" diplomatic strategy of balancing ties with superpowers.
Last year, Vietnam hosted U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping little more than three months apart, moving closer in relationships with the top two powers — both of which want to court Vietnam, according to experts interviewed by VOA.
Between these two moves, Vietnam elevated Japan to one of its six comprehensive strategic partners, along with the U.S. and China.
When addressing the 32nd National Diplomatic Conference on December 19 in Hanoi, Trong said Vietnam’s diplomatic tradition is deeply ingrained with the essence of Vietnamese bamboo, which has "firm roots" and "flexible branches," reported VCCI News.
Vietnamese diplomacy, according to the party leader, should be adaptive and flexible, aligning with the core tenets of "firm in objectives, flexible in strategies and tactics."
“Flexible” for balancing
The idea of "bamboo diplomacy" was first coined by Trong in 2016 following his reelection to lead Vietnam’s Communist Party for the second time. Vietnam has actively pursued this diplomatic approach to navigate rising global tensions since 2021.
The policy is exemplified by Vietnam’s careful balancing act. It shares concerns with the U.S. over Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea, but it has significant economic links with China.
