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Vietnam has historically viewed itself as a player of great significance in the region, with geographical constraints that compel pro-active diplomatic and military strategies. The Fanto Canal threatens to alter the status quo by potentially undercutting Vietnam’s access to crucial waterways.
Vietnamese lawmakers have expressed fears that control over the canal might enable Cambodia to divert Mekong River flows, jeopardizing Vietnam’s water supply and food security—particularly regarding its rice exports, which derive predominantly from the Mekong Delta. As climate change exacerbates these water levels, the projected impact of the Fanto Canal raises red flags not just about trade but about Vietnam’s very survival.