TTLV: American Cultural Diplomacy in Vietnam 2009-2024

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name: Nguyen Thu Giang

2. Gender: Female

3. Date of birth: January 9, 1997

4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Decision on student admission No. 5626/QD-XHNV dated December 29, 2023, by the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

6. Changes in the training process: None

7. Thesis Title: American Cultural Diplomacy in Vietnam 2009-2024

8. Major: International Relations ; Code: 8310601.01

9. Scientific supervisor: Dr. Le Lena, Department of International Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

10. Summary of the thesis results:

This thesis focuses on the practical implementation of U.S. cultural diplomacy in Vietnam during the period 2009-2024, against the backdrop of increasingly expanding and deepening bilateral relations. Based on the application of soft power theory and constructivism, the thesis clarifies the role of culture, values, and identity in the implementation of cultural diplomacy in general and U.S. cultural diplomacy in particular, while analyzing the factors influencing U.S. cultural diplomacy in Vietnam during the period 2009-2024. The research results show that U.S. cultural diplomacy in Vietnam was continuously implemented through three presidential terms: Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden, but with clear differences in priority levels, resources, and implementation methods. Specifically, the Obama and Biden administrations witnessed a significant increase in the scale and systematic nature of cultural diplomacy activities, particularly in the areas of education, academic exchange, and people-to-people exchanges, while the Trump administration tended to narrow and disperse resources. The thesis also points out the positive impacts of American cultural diplomacy on social perceptions and bilateral relations, while analyzing the limitations and challenges facing Vietnam. Based on this, the thesis draws some lessons learned and proposes recommendations to improve the effectiveness of Vietnam's cultural diplomacy in the context of current international integration.

11. Practical applications: This thesis can be used as a reference for teaching, learning, and researching American cultural diplomacy in Vietnam from 2009 to 2024.

12. Future research directions: None

13. Published works related to the thesis: None.

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Nguyen Thu Giang 2. Sex: Female

3. Date of birth: January 9, 1997 4. Place of birth: Hanoi

5. Admission decision number: 5626/QD-XHNV Dated December 29, 2023

6. Changes in academic process: No

7. Official thesis title: US Cultural Diplomacy in Vietnam 2009-2024

8. Major: International Relations 9. Code: 8310601.01

10. Supervisors: PhD Le Lena, Faculty of International Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University.

11. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The thesis focuses on examining the practical implementation of US cultural diplomacy in Vietnam during the period 2009–2024, within the context of increasingly expanded and deepened bilateral relations. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of soft power and constructivism, the study elucidates the role of culture, values, and national identity in the formulation and execution of cultural diplomacy in general, and US cultural diplomacy in particular, while also analyzing the key factors of US cultural diplomacy in Vietnam during this period. The research findings indicate that US cultural diplomacy in Vietnam was implemented continuously across the administrations of Presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden, albeit with significant differences in terms of policy priorities, resource allocation, and modes of implementation. Notably, the Obama and Biden administrations witnessed a substantial expansion in both the scale and the degree of institutionalization of cultural diplomacy activities, especially in the fields of education, academic exchange, and people-to-people relations, whereas the Trump administration demonstrated a tendency toward and reduced fragmented engagement. The thesis also highlights the positive impacts of US cultural diplomacy on social perceptions and bilateral relations, while identifying existing limitations and challenges for Vietnam. On this basis, the study draws several lessons learned and proposes policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of Vietnam's cultural diplomacy in the context of contemporary international integration.

12. Practical applicability, if any: The thesis can be used as a reference for teaching, academic study, and scholarly inquiry into US cultural diplomacy in Vietnam during the period 2009–2024.

13. Further research directions: None

14. Thesis-related publications: None.