TTLA: Vietnam - US defense relations in the period 2001-2018

1. Full name of PhD student: Hoang Cam Thanh 2. Gender: Female
3. Date of birth: June 11, 1986 4. Place of birth: Vung Tau
5. Decision to recognize PhD students: No. 3618/2018/QD-XHNV dated December 4, 2018 of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
6. Changes in training process (if any):
- Extension document No. 2689/QD-XHNV-DT dated December 6, 2021.
- Extension document No. 3674/QD-XHNV dated December 7, 2022.
- Decision on adjusting the title of doctoral thesis of PhD student Hoang Cam Thanh No. 1602/QD-XHNV dated June 23, 2022.
7. Thesis topic: Vietnam - US defense relations in the period 2001-2018
8. Major: International Relations 9. Code: 9310601.01
10. Scientific instructor:
- Guide 1: Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Nam Tien
- Guide 2: Dr. Nguyen Thi My Hanh
11. Summary of new results of the thesis:
The purpose of the study is to study the development of Vietnam-US defense relations in the period 2001-2018 from the perspective of Realist theory. The research object of the thesis will focus on Vietnam-US defense relations from 2001 to 2018. The study will analyze two aspects. One side is the role of the United States as a major power in orienting and deciding this relationship through changing its views, strategies and implementation measures in the Asia-Pacific region and recognizing the rising role of China through the stages. From the Vietnamese side, in the face of the power competition of major countries, how has Vietnam been steadfast and taken advantage of cooperation opportunities in the field of national security and defense to strengthen its long-term strategic relationship with the United States. Regarding the scope of the study, the thesis will study the areas of cooperation related to national security and defense of the two sides through the US aid programs for Vietnam. These programs will be funded and implemented by the US Department of Defense itself or the Department of Defense in conjunction with the US Department of State for Vietnam from 2001 to 2018. Regarding the research time, the thesis will limit the research time from 2001 to 2018. The thesis is divided into two periods: 2001 - 2008 - corresponding to the two terms of President George W. Bush and the second period is 2009 - 2018 - equivalent to the two terms of President Barack Obama and the first years of President Donald Trump. To answer the research question: How has the development of the Vietnam - US relationship in the defense field taken place? The thesis will apply Realism theory to build an analytical framework and a tracing method including: Determining the research theoretical framework - Establishing the research time limit and listing events in chronological order - Making arguments. At the same time, the thesis will apply historical research methods to collect, arrange and analyze data. The important conclusions of the thesis include:
With the first argument, "bilateral defense relations depend on how the United States cares about the region, especially the China factor. The way to implement relations with Vietnam reflects the US's vision of the growth and challenges from China." The thesis describes the changes in US strategy and policy in general and with the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the perception and assessment of China's role in each period from 2001 to 2018. In the period from 1995 to 2000, when the US did not pay attention to strategic cooperation with Vietnam, the US had a certain vision and focus in defense cooperation. This shaped the relationship with Vietnam in the long term. In the period from 2001 to 2008, the US was pursuing the global war on terrorism, interests in the Asian region were not the focus of policy. If there is a strategic relationship with Vietnam, it will continue to strengthen the goal of global counterterrorism. In the period 2009-2018, the US changed its strategy; in which China was the factor that made the "return" to Asia - Pacific clearly affect the development of Vietnam - US defense cooperation. From the US side, through cooperation programs, the US increased its involvement and presence in the region in general, while Vietnam gained benefits through capacity development and certain benefits from cooperation programs related to security and defense.
The second argument of the thesis is: “Vietnam takes advantage of areas of cooperation that are suitable for its goals and interests that have been adjusted in each period. These areas of cooperation help Vietnam not to “fall into an insecure situation” in its defense relations with the United States.” When analyzing all the areas that Vietnam has received funding from the US from 2000 to 2018, the “insecure situations” (ideological differences between the two sides, the influence of the past from the war between the two countries, Vietnam’s concerns about peaceful evolution activities, and real commitments from the US) do not seem to be obstacles to the areas of cooperation analyzed above. From the beginning, Vietnam was hesitant about US training programs, but once it agreed to participate, Vietnam seemed to benefit and the number of personnel sent for training increased day by day. Or receiving funding from programs that help increase capacity and build infrastructure. And this is as Realist theory has explained – the assumption of interests and whatever the institution, the country, as a single subject will calculate to achieve them. The results presented in the section on bilateral defense relations show this. Thus, the nature and extent of cooperation between the two countries depends on the circumstances and environment, which is reflected in the US's interest in the China factor and how much resources it invests in the Southeast Asian region – and with Vietnam, how proactive and selective Vietnam is in different stages. It can be seen that as a major country, the US has many resources and policy options. As for Vietnam – as a small country – although limited in its choices, through the above manifestations and analysis, Vietnam can decide to what extent the defense relations between the two countries progress. This is further demonstrated by the fact that Vietnam has “space” for its own choices and can have the advantage to increase the level of security and defense cooperation with the US. From here, the US has adjusted its approach to a closed balance with Vietnam. The results of cooperation have helped Vietnam increase its capacity but at the same time increased the US’s access and presence in the region.
12. Further research directions: The thesis can continue to exploit the following contents to contribute to the analysis of the Vietnam - US defense relationship. In terms of research methods, the study will use the interview method for those who participated in the planning and implementation of defense cooperation between the two sides. This approach will expand this research in the direction of historical research, which can help describe the defense relationship between the two countries through each period as well as the comments of insiders. From here, other aspects of this relationship will be seen beyond the documents, statements and agreements of the two sides.
Because in reality, the defense relationship in the field of military cooperation and arms trade between Vietnam and the United States is not much. So the research can develop in the direction of focusing on explaining these reasons. Why is it that besides the praise for the results and achievements of both sides, as well as other areas related to national security and defense that are still taking place, military and weapons cooperation progresses more slowly? What are the barriers between the two countries in this issue? And can the two sides overcome these barriers to reach new agreements?
Finally, another approach is from the perspective of comparative politics. The study will compare the bilateral defense relations between the United States and countries in the Southeast Asian region, including Vietnam. This comparison will clarify the level of interest, breadth and depth between defense relations. Thereby, it will determine the position of the Vietnam - US defense relations compared to other countries in the region. This comparison also shows the interest of the United States for the region in general, for each country and for Vietnam in particular; conversely, it will show the level of interest of each country in the Southeast Asian region with the United States and the current US - China power competition. Or compare Vietnam's defense relations with other partners besides the United States such as Russia, China, Japan, India. Or based on the data on arms sales between Vietnam and its partners, it will compare the defense relations between Vietnam and Russia, Ukraine, Israel and South Korea. These are the countries that have recently traded arms with Vietnam. What does the regular exchange of arms mean for the level of defense relations between Vietnam and that partner and how does it compare to the United States?
13. Publications related to the thesis:
Vietnamese
Hoang Cam Thanh (2019), “The issue of resolving the consequences of war in Vietnam - US relations”, Journal of India and Asia 6 (79), pp. 32-38.
Hoang Cam Thanh (2021), “The foundation of Vietnam-US defense cooperation”, India and Asia Journal 2 (99), pp. 42-49.
English
Hoang Cam Thanh (2020), “The Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy: Possibilities of Structural Change in the Asia-Pacific Region”, Proceedings of the international conference “Structural prospects in the Asia-Pacific to 2025 and Vietnam's response”, The Gioi Publishing House, Hanoi, pp. 80-86.
Hoang Cam Thanh (2021), “Vietnam and The United States Security Cooperation in Capability Building Between 2000 and 2018,” 2021 International Graduate Research Symposium, Hanoi National University Publishing House, Hanoi, pp. 524-533.
Hoang Cam Thanh (2021), “Vietnam and US Cooperation in the Non-Traditional Security in 2009-2018,” International Conference Proceedings: The Security and Development Issues in the New Situations, Publishing House. World, Hanoi, p. 359-380

    

1. Full name: Hoang Cam Thanh
2. Sex: Female
3. Date of birth: June 11, 1986
4. Place of birth: Vung Tau
5. Admission decision number 3618/2018/QD-XHNV dated December 4, 2018 by University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in academic process:
- Extension of study time number 2689/QD-XHNV-DT dated December 12, 2021.
- Extension of study time number 3674/QD-XHNV dated December 07, 2022
- Decision on the adjustment of the thesis title of Ph.D. candidate Hoang Cam Thanh number 1602/QD-XHNV dated June 23, 2022.
7. Official thesis title: Vietnam and the United States' Defense Cooperation between 2001 and 2018
8. Major: International Relations
9. Code: 9310601.01
10. Supervisors: Associate Professor Tran Nam Tien & Dr. Nguyen Thi My Hanh
11. Summary of the new findings of the thesis:
The research purpose is to apply the Realist theoretical framework to explain why Vietnam and the United States have taken policy options in defense cooperation between 2001 and 2018. By resorting to covert balancing, the United States has adapted its strategy in relation to Vietnam, who is pursuing hedging strategy in the context of Sino-US competition in the region. To probe thesis arguments, I will conduct an in-depth research into the defense tie of the two countries. The research will employ process tracing as the systematic examination of diagnostic evidence. Through the analytic tool, the research can draw descriptive and casual inferences from the temporal sequence of events in Vietnam and the United States' defense relations.
The research confirms the first argument that the defense relations of Vietnam and the United States depend on the American interest on the region, especially the China factor. That the way the United States has defined its policy in relation to Vietnam reflects the US perception towards the rise of China and its challenges. The research adequately describes the changes of US strategy towards the Asia-Pacific region and US assessment of the rise and challenge of China between 2001 and 2018. Before 2001, although the United States did not pay much attention to the strategic relations with Vietnam, they still envisioned the key principles for the bilateral interaction. This vision has shaped the defense relationship with Vietnam. Over the period from 2001 to 2008, the United State pursued the global War on Terrorism. The Asia-Pacific region was not the main focus of the US strategy. At this stage, the scope and peace of bilateral defense relations expanded modestly. The two sides strived to enhance mutual understanding. When the US pivot to Asia-Pacific amid China's rising influence was announced relationship, Vietnam and the US defense began to take on a new stage between 2009 to 2018. The two sides have expanded cooperation and dialogue in issues, which benefits both Vietnam and the United States. Through the cooperation on defense and military-related issues, Vietnam can build up its capabilities, whereas the United States can enhance its presence and engagement in the region. Second, Vietnam leverages cooperation of the United States in these areas pertinent to its national objectives and interests, which are defined in different periods. As working with the United States in such areas, Vietnam avoids having anxiety at the defense relations of the United States. By analyzing defense and security-related issues which Vietnam has received financial aid from the United States between 2001 and 2018, Vietnam's anxiety is not actually a hindrance to the two sides' defense cooperation. Due to lack of trust, Vietnam had not signed an IMET agreement until 2005. After the bilateral IMET agreement, many of IMET's Vietnamese officers have been sent to the United States to receive English language training for years. Also, Vietnam can boost its capabilities and develop infrastructure with the support of the American aid. Although Vietnam is not able to make any purchase of American-made weapons, Vietnam can obtain the American equipment and facilities under the US Excess Defense Articles. Despite differences inherent in the two sides' defense and security concerns, Vietnam and the United States can still adopt policy-options that benefit the Vietnamese military to derive training value from activities with the US military but also serve US interests in power balancing in the region. As stated in the Realist theoretical framework, the two countries, as unitary actors in international politics, have advanced their own interests in relation to their partner.
To sum up, the pace and scope of the bilateral interaction between Vietnam and the United States rely on how the United States perceives the role of China as well as how Vietnam revolves around its own principles of dealing with great powers. As a great power, the United States can take up a wide range of policy options with more resources. Vietnam, as a secondary state, is still able to boost the bilateral interaction in its favorable pace and scope. In turn, the United States has investigated coveringt forms of balancing across areas through which Vietnamese military can derive training value from activities with the US military and the United States can increase it access in the region.
12. Further research directions:
In terms of research methods, I will conduct interviews with people who have participated in planning and implementing foreign policies in defense and military areas. From the perspective of policy-makers, the research can gain the insights of the defense cooperation between the two countries. Despite progressiveness of bilateral relations, the military acquisition and procurement activities of the two sides have not developed. The further research can focus on setbacks in the strategic cooperation of two sides, especially in arm sales. And how can the two countries overcome these obstacles to deepen their strategic relations? Furthermore, the research will adopt the comparative political approach. The study will compare the bilateral defense relationship between the United States and countries in Southeast Asia. The comparison will analyze the position of the defense relationship between Vietnam and the United States compared to other countries in the region. Also, the research will compare the concerns of the US for the region, for each country, and for Vietnam. It will show the level of interest of each country in Southeast Asia with the United States and toward the current US-China power competition. Additionally, the research will compare Vietnam's defense relationship with other partners such as Russia, China, Japan, India, and the US. Based on arms sales data, I will compare defense relations between Vietnam and other partners such as the US, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and South Korea. These are countries that have traded weapons with Vietnam in recent times. What does the arms trade mean for the Vietnam's defense relationship with these partners? And how can Vietnam diversify its defense procurements, especially the US?

13. Thesis-related publications

Hoang Cam Thanh (2019), “The issue of resolving the consequences of war in Vietnam - US relations”, Journal of India and Asia 6 (79), pp. 32-38.
Hoang Cam Thanh (2021), “The foundation of Vietnam-US defense cooperation”, India and Asia Journal 2 (99), pp. 42-49.
Hoang Cam Thanh (2020), “The Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy: Possibilities of Structural Change in the Asia-Pacific Region”, Proceedings of the international conference “Structural prospects in the Asia-Pacific to 2025 and Vietnam's response”, The Gioi Publishing House, Hanoi, pp. 80-86.
Hoang Cam Thanh (2021), “Vietnam and The United States Security Cooperation in Capability Building Between 2000 and 2018,” 2021 International Graduate Research Symposium, Hanoi National University Publishing House, Hanoi, pp. 524-533.
Hoang Cam Thanh (2021), “Vietnam and US Cooperation in the Non-Traditional Security in 2009-2018,” International Conference Proceedings: The Security and Development Issues in the New Situations, Publishing House. World, Hanoi, p. 359-380