Information on the doctoral dissertation of PhD candidate Tran Son Tung: US-China Competition in the Mekong Subregion (2009-2024).

1. Author's name: Tran Son Tung

2. Gender: Male 3. Date of birth: March 6, 1990

4. Place of birth: Bo De Ward, Hanoi.

5. Decision on admission of doctoral students: Decision No. 2775/2020/QD-XHNV dated December 31, 2020, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes to the training process: Extending the training period from December 2024 to December 2025.

7. Thesis Title: US-China Competition in the Mekong Subregion (2009-2024).

8. Major: International Relations

9. Code: 9310601.01

10. Scientific supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Hong Hanh

11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis

- To clarify the theoretical and practical basis for studying US-China competition in the Mekong Subregion from 2009 to 2024, including a multi-dimensional analytical framework across the main areas of politics-diplomacy, economics-infrastructure development, security-water resource management, and culture-society.

- Analyze the current state of US-China competition in the Mekong Subregion at each stage, clarifying the motivations, tools, and methods of competition of each superpower, as well as the impact of competition on the security structure, development, and foreign relations in the Subregion.

- This study systematizes the strategic adjustments of the United States and China regarding the Mekong Subregion, thereby highlighting the shift from development cooperation to structural competition that is increasingly expanding in scope and sectors.

- Draw key conclusions about the nature of US-China competition in the region, including the asymmetry of resources, the contrast between development and governance models, and the increasing trend of "soft containment" versus "hard influence expansion" strategies.

- Relate this to the Vietnamese context, and then draw key policy implications to optimize benefits, minimize risks, and enhance Vietnam's adaptability in an increasingly complex strategic competitive environment.

12. Future research directions: This dissertation serves as a basis for further research in several areas, including:

- The first research direction focuses on US-China competition in the Mekong Subregion, aiming to develop flexible forecasting models that incorporate variables such as geopolitical shifts, supply chain shifts, water security, technological competition, and the impact of climate change. Beyond historical data, the research needs to develop "what if" scenarios to support policy planning in the context of increasing uncertainty.

- The second research direction is to analyze the evolution of US-China competition from 2024 to the present, a period witnessing profound changes in the regional security structure, the reshaping of US and Chinese strategies, and the rise of new centers of power. This is a period of rapid and significant change, therefore updated research is needed to provide a comprehensive picture.

- The third research direction focuses on the role and adaptability of countries in the Subregion, particularly the "strategic autonomy" mechanism of Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Accordingly, building a flexible cooperation model, connecting the subregion with ASEAN, along with studying the policies of partners such as Japan, South Korea, India, or the EU, will be of significant value to the long-term stability of the Mekong region.

13. Published works related to the dissertation

1. Tran Son Tung (2025), “The greater Mekong subregion in China's belt and road initiative: Strategic position, role, and policy implication for Vietnam”,International Journal of Education and Social Science Research (IJESSR),8 (3), pp. 333-341, Article No. 1083, Sub Id 1693,https://ijessr.com/view7.php?issue=3

2. Tran Son Tung (2025), “The Impact of US–China Strategic Competition in the Mekong Sub-region on Vietnam's National Interests”,Journal of International Relations,5(1), pp. 1–11,https://doi.org/10.47604/jir.3413

3. Tran Son Tung (2025), “The Mekong Subregion in the US Indo-Pacific Strategy and Policy Implications for Vietnam”,Defense Relations Magazine(71), pp. 21-28.

INFORMATION ON DOCTORAL THESIS

1. Full name: Tran Son Tung

2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: March 06, 1990

4. Place of birth: Bo De ward, Hanoi.

5. Amission decision number 2775/2020/QD-XHNV dated December 31, 2020 by University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University Hanoi.

6. Changes in training: Extend training period from December 2024 to December 2025

7. Official thesis title: US–China Competition in the Mekong Subregion (2009–2024)

8. Major: International relations

9. Code: 9310601.01

10. Superviors : Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Hong Hanh

11. Summary of new results of the thesis

- Clarifies the theoretical and empirical foundations for studying US–China competition in the Mekong Subregion during 2009–2024, including the construction of a multidimensional analytical framework covering political–diplomatic, economic–infrastructure development, security–water governance, and socio-cultural domains.

- Analyzes the current situation of US–China competition in the Mekong Subregion across distinct phases, while elucidating the motivations, instruments, and modes of competition employed by each major power, as well as the impacts of this competition on the subregion's security structure, development trajectory, and external relations.

- Systematizes the strategic adjustments of the United States and China toward the Mekong Subregion, thereby identifying the shift from development-oriented cooperation to structural competition with expanding scope and intensity across multiple issue areas.

- Draws key conclusions on the inherent nature of US–China competition in the region, including the asymmetry of resources, divergence in development–governance models, and the growing coexistence of “soft containment” and “hard influence expansion” strategies.

- Relates these findings to Vietnam's strategic context, offering important policy implications aimed at promoting national interests, mitigating risks, and enhancing Vietnam's adaptive capacity in an increasingly complex environment of major-power competition.

12. Further research directions: The thesis is the basis for developing further research projects in the following directions:

- The first research directions concerns US–China competition in the Mekong Subregion through the development of flexible forecasting models that integrate variables such as geopolitical shifts, supply-chain realignment, water security challenges, technological competition, and the impacts of climate change. Beyond historical data, such studies should incorporate “if–then” scenario planning to support timely and responsive policymaking under rising uncertainty.

- The second direction involves analyzing developments in US–China competition from 2024 to the present—an era marked by profound transformations in regional security architecture, strategic recalibration by both powers, and the emergence of new centers of influence. Given the pace and scale of these changes, updated empirical research is necessary to refine and supplement the existing analytical picture.

- The third direction focus on the roles and adaptive capacities of countries within the Mekong Subregion, especially the mechanisms of “strategic autonomy” pursued by Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. In this regard, developing flexible cooperation models, strengthening linkages between the subregion and ASEAN, and examining the policies of external partners such as Japan, South Korea, India, and the EU will be crucial for ensuring long-term stability in the Mekong region.

13. Publications related to the thesis

1. Tran Son Tung (2025), “The greater Mekong subregion in China's belt and road initiative: Strategic position, role, and policy implication for Vietnam”,International Journal of Education and Social Science Research (IJESSR),8 (3), pp. 333-341, Article No. 1083, Sub Id 1693,https://ijessr.com/view7.php?issue=3

2. Tran Son Tung (2025), “The Impact of US–China Strategic Competition in the Mekong Sub-region on Vietnam's National Interests”,Journal of International Relations,5(1), pp. 1–11,https://doi.org/10.47604/jir.3413

3. Tran Son Tung (2025), “The Mekong Subregion in the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy and Policy Implications for Vietnam”,National Defense Relations Journal(71), pp. 21–28.