Part 7/10:
In a hypothetical conflict between the U.S. and China—particularly over Taiwan—it remains unclear which side Vietnam would support. Officially, Vietnam might prefer to stay neutral or avoid direct involvement. Its policies suggest a desire not to provoke China, especially given the economic interdependence, with China being Vietnam’s largest trading partner and foreign direct investor.
But Vietnam’s historical conflicts with China, combined with its ongoing island-building efforts and military cooperation with Western allies, suggest that its strategic interests lie in resisting Chinese dominance. If pressured or coerced, Vietnam might find itself compelled to support U.S. efforts to contain China or even assist Taiwan’s defense, raising the stakes of regional instability.