Vietnamese Foreign Policy after the 11th Party Congress

At the 11th Party Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in January 2011, leaders mapped out Vietnam’s direction for the next five years and beyond in all areas. Although foreign observers have argued that the congress produced no changes, others claim that there were, in fact, some significant changes in terms of balance of power within the party structure – which will have implications for Vietnam’s public policy. Whether new ambition, goals, and personnel can steer Vietnam toward a more open society, more economic progress, and expanded international relations depends largely on how Hanoi’s leaders handle a number of existing pressing problems and whether they adopt bolder reform measures.

On May 17, CNAPS Visiting Fellow Tuan Minh Ta presented his perspective on what has and has not changed in Vietnam’s politics and foreign policy after the 11th Party Congress, and assessed the challenges that Vietnam’s leaders must address.