The 21st-century world is no longer bipolar, as it was during the Cold War, nor unipolar as it became following the collapse of the Soviet Union, when the United States of America (US) began shaping a new rules-based international order centred on Western values. In this new era of multipolarity, rising powers such as China, Russia, and India now coexist with the US in a global environment characterised by both interdependence and rivalry. This evolving landscape features shifting power dynamics and ongoing geopolitical competition, with no single power able to thrive in isolation. Against this backdrop, how can small and medium-sized states navigate great power politics in a way that maximises their interests without significant cost? Vietnam is a prime example of a country that has done so successfully. Through a strategy known as bamboo diplomacy, this Southeast Asian nation has skilfully balanced its relationships with competing major powers, strengthening its position in international relations.
The bamboo metaphor symbolises the essence of Vietnam’s foreign policy: firm in principles yet flexible in strategy and approach. For decades, Vietnam has pursued a diplomatic path characterised by non-alignment, active engagement with major powers, and adaptability in its international dealings. The term bamboo diplomacy was popularised by the late General Secretary of the Communist Party, Nguyễn Phú Trọng, and reflects the long-standing foreign policy principles of President Hồ Chí Minh.
Since the end of the Cold War, Vietnam has not only enjoyed stable domestic politics but has also achieved rapid economic growth, played active roles in multilateral institutions, and maintained peaceful relations with global powers. The country has consistently upheld a foreign policy based on independence, self-reliance, multilateralism, and diversification (Van, 2025). Like the bamboo tree, whose roots grow deep and firm—symbolising sovereignty, autonomy, and national interest—Vietnam stands strong in its principles. At the same time, its flexible branches sway with the wind without breaking, representing a pragmatic and adaptive approach to diplomacy. This combination has allowed Vietnam to navigate an unpredictable geopolitical environment and emerge as a credible middle power in international affairs.
Vietnam has demonstrated remarkable skill in balancing relationships with global powers, especially with two of its former adversaries: the US and China. Confronted with a variety of traditional and non-traditional security challenges, and shifting global alliances, Vietnam recognises that strict ideological alignment or rigid alliance commitments can be detrimental. Instead, it pursues cooperative relationships based on mutual benefit and adjusts its positions depending on the issue at hand (Ibid.). The country has also cultivated strong economic and security ties with middle powers across the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan, South Korea, India, and the UK. Importantly, it avoids aligning with any power bloc against another, especially amid intensifying great power rivalries. This strategy allows Vietnam to diversify its partnerships, strengthen security cooperation, foster economic development, and expand its diplomatic influence—while avoiding entanglement in zero-sum conflicts.
Vietnam’s foreign policy has been shaped by its centuries-long history of struggle. The country endured over a thousand years of Chinese imperial rule, followed by French colonialism, and concluded decades of conflict with a hard-won victory over the United States in 1975, securing full territorial integrity and independence. This historical legacy has instilled in the Vietnamese people a deep determination never to trade sovereignty and peace for short-term gains. Today, the country remains keenly aware of the complex currents of international politics and thus adheres to principles of non-interference, self-reliance, and multidirectional diplomacy to prevent past vulnerabilities from recurring (Ibid.).
Bamboo diplomacy also reflects Vietnam’s strategic calculus in managing relations with individual major powers. Russia has long been a vital partner, especially in the field of defence. The bilateral relationship is characterised by military cooperation, including the supply of equipment and the modernisation of Vietnam’s defence capabilities (Mazyrin, 2012). The two countries are also engaged in joint oil and gas exploration in Vietnamese waters. However, the relationship is driven more by strategic and security concerns than by economic dynamism.
China, due to its geographic proximity and economic might, is an indispensable partner. It is Vietnam’s largest trading partner, and both countries share a similar one-party communist system. Nonetheless, the relationship has long been strained by territorial disputes in the South China Sea—an enduring test of Vietnam’s diplomatic agility. While Vietnam is keen to develop economic ties with its powerful neighbour, it remains steadfast in defending its maritime claims and sovereignty (Dung, 2022). To balance against China’s influence, Vietnam has built a comprehensive strategic partnership with the US, deepening economic ties and enhancing security cooperation. At the same time, Vietnam avoids aligning too closely with Washington, wary of provoking Beijing or becoming ensnared in great power rivalry (Ibid.).
As a result of this careful balancing act, Vietnam has earned the trust of all three major powers— the US, China, and Russia—becoming one of the few nations to host all three leaders: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin. This remarkable achievement illustrates Vietnam’s growing geopolitical importance and its recognition as a reliable partner in Southeast Asia.
Bamboo diplomacy extends beyond bilateral relationships with great powers. Vietnam also seeks to make proactive and constructive contributions to multilateral institutions such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN), where it promotes regional peace, economic integration, and global stability (Bui, 2023). Confronted with escalating tensions in the South China Sea, Vietnam views the maritime dispute not only as a matter of sovereignty and territorial integrity but also as a regional security issue. To this end, it works to multilateralise the conflict through ASEAN and collaborates with external partners who support freedom of navigation and the rule of law. Vietnam has also demonstrated its commitment to international peace by participating in UN peacekeeping operations (Do, 2022).
Economic diplomacy is another cornerstone of the bamboo strategy. Vietnam has pursued free trade agreements with countries and regions around the world, and actively participates in organisations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Asia–Europe Meeting. Since the introduction of the Đổi Mới (“Renewal”) reforms in 1986, the country has become a favoured destination for foreign direct investment, thanks to its stable political environment, improving infrastructure, competitively priced and highly skilled workforce, and strategic geographic location (Bui, 2023).
In conclusion, bamboo diplomacy has played a pivotal role in enhancing Vietnam’s global presence. By diversifying its partnerships with both major and middle powers across economic, security, educational, and technological sectors, Vietnam has elevated its diplomatic influence while safeguarding its independence and autonomy. This strategy reflects the country’s flexibility, pragmatism, and resilience in a rapidly evolving multipolar world—like a bamboo tree that bends but does not break in strong winds. Guided by this philosophy, Vietnam has emerged as a stable middle power and one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies, successfully navigating international politics without becoming a pawn in great power rivalries.
References
Bui, T., 2023. Vietnamese Geoeconomics in a Polarized Global Economy: Understanding Bamboo Diplomacy and Its Viability. In Great Power Competition and Middle Power Strategies: Economic Statecraft in the Asia-Pacific Region (pp. 165-183). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Van, H., 2025. Vietnam’s Bamboo Diplomacy: From Tradition To Modern. Mitreka Satata: Journal of Historical Studies and History Education, 1(1), pp.41-51.
Do, T.T., 2022. Vietnam’s emergence as a middle power in Asia: Unfolding the
power–knowledge nexus. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 41(2), pp.279-302.
Dung, P.X., 2022. ” No One Can Force Vietnam to Choose Sides”: Vietnam as a Self-Reliant Middle Power. asia policy, 17(4), pp.151-179.
Mazyrin, V., 2012. Russia and Vietnam: Building a Strategic Partnership. ASEAN-Russia: Foundations and Future Prospects, Singapore: ISEAS Publications, pp.173-183.
Vu Khanh Phuong (Rose), is originally from Vietnam and currently resides in Scotland, where she is pursuing a Master’s degree in International Conflict and Cooperation.
