Since Vietnam adopted its programme of reform (“Doi Moi” or renovation) in 1986, its foreign policy has transitioned from one driven by ideology to a more pragmatic regime driven by independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralism. This is underpinned by four principles: not engaging in military alliances, not supporting any country against another, not allowing foreign military bases on its territory and not using force or threatening to use force.
In 2019, in the context of the Ukraine conflict, a defence white paper elevated these four principles to strategic “guiding rules” in the safeguarding of the fatherland.
But this was just an update of principles declared in the middle of the last decade by Vietnam’s former leader, the late Communist Party general secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong. These principles were the foundations of bamboo diplomacy, which he defined as: “strong roots, stout trunk, and flexible branches”. They stand for upholding moral standards and core values, while quickly adapting to shifts around the globe.
