TTLV: Vietnam's bamboo diplomacy strategy in the context of US-China competition

MASTER'S THESIS INFORMATION

1. Student's full name: Tran Quang Khai 2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: June 24, 2000 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Student recognition decision No. 5626/QD/XHNV dated December 29, 2023 of the President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in training process: None

7. Thesis topic: Vietnam's bamboo diplomacy strategy in the context of US-China competition

8. Major: Political Science Code: 23035185

9. Scientific instructors: Instructor 1: Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Cuong; Instructor 2: Dr. Phi Vinh Tuong                     

10. Summary of the thesis results: The study clarifies the connotation of Vietnamese bamboo diplomacy inherited from the traditional history and diplomatic ideology of Ho Chi Minh with three pillars: "firm roots, flexible trunk, supple branches". From there, the study proves the meaningful application of the pillars of Vietnamese bamboo diplomacy in the context of US-China power competition. Accordingly, Vietnamese diplomacy prioritizes balanced and flexible cooperation in the face of competitive policies of the US and China, but maintains its own principles and stance. Vietnam prioritizes building comprehensive strategic partnerships with both China and the US, while expanding relations with countries such as Russia, Australia, India, South Korea, ...

11. Practical applicability: The topic provides reference arguments for foreign policy planning and implementation. Affirming the role of "bamboo diplomacy" as a tool to maintain strategic balance, protect national interests and enhance international status. These results support management agencies to become a useful source of documents in research and teaching.

12. Further research directions: Research can expand the scope of the survey of the bamboo diplomacy model in relation to other partners and powers. At the same time, develop a theoretical framework on the Vietnamese diplomatic model to develop research on theory and practical basis for the national foreign policy.

13. Published works related to the thesis: 

- Nguyen Anh Cuong & Tran Quang Khai (2024), Southeast Asia in the economic power competition between the US and China,Journal of Southeast Asian Studies,No. 4, pp. 3-11.

- Nguyen Anh Cuong & Tran Quang Khai (2024), Hot spots in US-China strategic competition,Journal of Social Science Information, No. 9, pp. 3-10.

- Le Thi Thu Mai & Nguyen Anh Cuong & Tran Quang Khai (2025), “How Vietnam is shaping post-COVID relations with the US, China, Russia and South Korea”,International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies, 8(3), pg.3686-3699.

- Tran Quang Khai &Nguyen Bich Ngoc (2025), “Vietnam's bamboo diplomacy admids the US – China technological rivalry”,International Conference on the Issues of Social Sciences and Humanities- Volume 1 Vietnam National University, Hanoi - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, pg.553-567.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Tran Quang Khai 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: June 24, 2000 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision number/ QD/ XHNV, Dated: Decision No. 5626/QD/XHNV dated December 29, 2023, issued by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in academic process: None

7. Official thesis title: Vietnam's Bamboo Diplomacy Strategy in the Context of US–China Rivalry

8. Major: Politics 9. Code: 23035185

10. Supervisors: Supervisor 1: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Cuong; Supervisor 2: Dr. Phi Vinh Tuong

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis: The research clarifies the conceptual connotation of Vietnam's “Bamboo Diplomacy,” which is structured around three pillars: strong roots, flexible stems, and resilient branches. It demonstrates how these pillars are meaningfully applied in Vietnam's diplomatic conduct amid the ongoing US–China power competition. active, Vietnam's diplomacy promotes cooperative balance strategies and adaptive responses to the competitive of both the United States and China, while maintaining its own principles and consistent stance. Promptly, Vietnam adheres to its diplomatic principles inherited from national tradition and Ho Chi Minh's diplomatic thought. Therefore, Vietnam prioritizes building comprehensive strategic partnerships with both China and the United States, while simultaneously expanding relations with other countries such as Russia, Australia, India, South Korea, and Singapore. This reflects the resilient yet adaptable nature of Vietnam's Bamboo Diplomacy strategy.

12. Practical applicability, if any: The study provides a valuable theoretical and empirical foundation for policy formulation and implementation in foreign affairs. By analyzing the US–China competition from a Vietnamese perspective, it helps to identify key opportunities and challenges, thereby reaffirming the role of Bamboo Diplomacy as a strategic instrument for maintaining equilibrium, securing national interests, and enhancing Vietnam's international standing. The findings serve as a useful reference for motivating, researchers, and educators in the field of international relations and political science.

13. Further research directions, if any: Future studies may extend the scope by examining the Bamboo Diplomacy model in relation to other major powers and regional partners. Furthermore, the research could contribute to developing a theoretical framework for Vietnam's diplomatic model, thereby enriching both the academic discourse and the practical foundations for the country's foreign policy orientation.

14. Thesis-related publications:

- Nguyen Anh Cuong & Tran Quang Khai (2024). Southeast Asia in the Economic Power Competition between the United States and China. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, No. 4, pp. 3–11.

- Nguyen Anh Cuong & Tran Quang Khai (2024). Hotspots in the US–China Strategic Competition. Journal of Social Sciences Information, No. 9, pp. 3–10.

- Le Thi Thu Mai, Nguyen Anh Cuong & Tran Quang Khai (2025). How Vietnam is Shaping Post-COVID Relations with the US, China, Russia and South Korea. International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies, 8(3), pp. 3686–3699.

- Tran Quang Khai & Nguyen Bich Ngoc (2025). Vietnam's Bamboo Diplomacy Amid the US–China Technological Rivalry. Proceedings of the International Conference on the Issues of Social Sciences and Humanities – Volume 1, Vietnam National University, Hanoi – University of Social Sciences and Humanities, pp. 553–567.