KJCKorea
Journal Central

@article{ART003285305},
author={Su-jin Lee},
title={Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics},
journal={Asia Review},
issn={2234-0386},
year={2025},
volume={15},
number={3},
pages={321-354},
doi={10.24987/SNUACAR.2025.12.15.3.321}

TY - JOUR
AU - Su-jin Lee
TI - Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics
JO - Asia Review
PY - 2025
VL - 15
IS - 3
PB - 아시아연구소
SP - 321
EP - 354
SN - 2234-0386
AB - While existing studies of the hedging strategy have focused on hedging behavior, researchers have paid little attention to the geopolitical considerations underlying the hedging strategy. Furthermore, few studies have opened the ‘black box’ of the hedging states to observe the guidelines of policymakers regarding the implementation of a hedging strategy. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to examine how Vietnam, a middleground power situated at the intersection of spheres of influence of the U.S. and China, employs a hedging strategy to leverage its geopolitical value in the Trump 2.0 era. To this end, it captures the critical geopolitical thinking evident in the Communist Party of Vietnam’s discourse and clarifies the party’s guidelines for implementing a hedging strategy. To ensure analytical rigor, the concept of hedging is redefined to apply specifically to the security area. The paper then proceeds to examine Vietnam’s discreet efforts to align itself with countries that share common security interests. This paper argues that Vietnam is leveraging its geopolitical value, which could impact strategic stability in the South China Sea. Amid an increasingly unstable security situation due to intensifying U.S.-China strategic competition, the formation of an intermediate-level alignment with the U.S. to check China is a possible consideration for Vietnam. At the same time, Vietnam is seeking to maximize its geopolitical value in terms of infrastructure and supply chain connectivity to offset its risks. In anticipation of a multi-polar world emerging around 2030, Vietnam is seeking political and economic alignment with China.
KW - Hedging Strategy;Critical Geopolitics;Middle-ground Power;Vietnamese Communist Party;Alignment
DO - 10.24987/SNUACAR.2025.12.15.3.321
ER -

Su-jin Lee. (2025). Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics. Asia Review, 15(3), 321-354.

Su-jin Lee. 2025, "Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics", Asia Review, vol.15, no.3 pp.321-354. Available from: doi:10.24987/SNUACAR.2025.12.15.3.321

Su-jin Lee "Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics" Asia Review 15.3 pp.321-354 (2025) : 321.

Su-jin Lee. Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics. 2025; 15(3), 321-354. Available from: doi:10.24987/SNUACAR.2025.12.15.3.321

Su-jin Lee. "Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics" Asia Review 15, no.3 (2025) : 321-354.doi: 10.24987/SNUACAR.2025.12.15.3.321

Su-jin Lee. Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics. Asia Review, 15(3), 321-354. doi: 10.24987/SNUACAR.2025.12.15.3.321

Su-jin Lee. Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics. Asia Review. 2025; 15(3) 321-354. doi: 10.24987/SNUACAR.2025.12.15.3.321

Su-jin Lee. Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics. 2025; 15(3), 321-354. Available from: doi:10.24987/SNUACAR.2025.12.15.3.321

Su-jin Lee. "Vietnam’s Hedging Strategy based on Critical Geopolitics" Asia Review 15, no.3 (2025) : 321-354.doi: 10.24987/SNUACAR.2025.12.15.3.321