Vietnam needs a new leader
Doubts about the health of Nguyen Phu Trong have become a political liability
Most Asian countries look on growing competition between America and China with trepidation. Vietnam sees opportunity. The country of 100m is friendly with both superpowers. And, because of its strategic location on China’s southern border and its 3,000km coastline, both are courting it. Last year it was the only country to receive both Xi Jinping and Joe Biden on state visits. It marked this by upgrading its ties with America, which has supplied Vietnam with coastguard vessels, to the same status it affords China and Russia.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Unchaining a tiger”
Leaders January 27th 2024
From the January 27th 2024 edition
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