The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi threw quite the tantrum over President Putin’s upcoming visit to Vietnam. A spokesperson expressed outrage to Reuters, saying, “No country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities. If he is able to travel freely, it could normalize Russia’s blatant violations of international law.” The irony here is almost laughable, considering it’s hardly the U.S.’s role to dictate to its partners which foreign leaders they can host.
It’s a bit rich, too, given that neither the U.S. nor Vietnam are part of the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court. The same court, mind you, that issued a “warrant” for Putin’s arrest last year—clearly referenced by the spokesperson. And while the official reason for Putin’s visit hasn’t been confirmed, it’s obvious that the discussions will likely center around bilateral cooperation, not just his views on Ukraine.
By rudely scolding Vietnam through their embassy spokesperson, the U.S. risks stirring up unnecessary drama in a strategic partnership that took years to build. Just last year, after lengthy negotiations, the U.S. and Vietnam clinched this partnership despite their history as wartime enemies. Both nations share goals in managing China’s rise, which is crucial for Vietnam due to its maritime territorial dispute with China.
However, Vietnam is far from being a U.S. ally or puppet. It proudly maintains its strategic autonomy, as evidenced by its ongoing strategic relations with Russia, despite intense Western pressure to sever ties. Most of Vietnam’s armed forces are equipped with Soviet and Russian hardware, and Russian energy companies are active in exploring offshore deposits. Moreover, Vietnam deeply values Moscow’s support during the Vietnam War, which cemented their strong ties.
Putin’s upcoming visit should be viewed within Vietnam’s careful balancing act between Russia and the U.S. Vietnam aims to secure the best possible position concerning its top trade partner, China, with whom it has a fierce maritime territorial dispute. Russia respects Vietnam’s decision to partner strategically with the U.S., but the U.S. clearly doesn’t extend the same courtesy regarding Vietnam’s relationship with Russia—a point not lost on Hanoi.
Despite the U.S.’s patronizing attitude, Vietnam will continue to keep the U.S. close, seeing it as the only realistic counterbalance to China in the South China Sea (or the East Sea, as Vietnam calls it). At the same time, Vietnam is arming itself with Russian weaponry, preparing for any potential conflicts. With Sino-Filipino tensions worsening, the U.S. will likely try to involve Vietnam to increase pressure on Beijing. However, Hanoi will not compromise its interests to appease others.
This reality has always been the case but is even more apparent after the U.S.’s overblown reaction to Vietnam hosting Putin. This reaction serves as a stark reminder to Vietnamese policymakers and the public that America will always see itself as the “senior partner” in any bilateral relationship. Such arrogance isn’t just offensive; it’s also counterproductive to U.S. national interests. It reduces the likelihood of countries like Vietnam cooperating more closely with the U.S. against others, like China.
So, while the U.S. might be fuming over Putin’s visit, Vietnam will continue its strategic dance, balancing its relations with both superpowers to safeguard its own national interests. The U.S. might do well to remember that mutual respect and understanding go a long way in maintaining alliances and partnerships. Trying to strong-arm a proud nation like Vietnam is bound to backfire and only push it closer to other powers willing to treat it as an equal.