Vietnam's balancing act with powers great and near

With a history of conflict with large powers such as China and the United States, Vietnam now pursues a carefully calibrated foreign policy of multi-alignment and hedging to balance its strategic interests. The Southeast Asian nation has been working towards greater economic integration into global markets, yet it’s also using active diplomacy, seeking an expanded network of partners, to offset China's military and economic might. So, how well is Vietnam's approach working to safeguard or assert its own interests? And with greater participation in the global economy, how much agency does Vietnam really have to determine its own future? Southeast Asia foreign policy expert Dr Huong Le Thu scrutinises Vietnam’s foreign policy with presenter Ali Moore. An Asia Inst ...