China First, America Later: Vietnam's Navigating between <scp>US</scp> –China Rivalry

Can lesser powers still effectively balance between the United States and China? This question has gained significant attention from policymakers and scholars as US–China rivalry intensifies. This article explores Vietnam's delicate balancing act amidst great power rivalry, arguing that the diplomatic flexibility available to traditional hedgers like Vietnam is shrinking. As ambiguity in various spheres diminishes, Vietnam increasingly finds itself compelled to clarify its stance on key issues. While Vietnam continues to hedge whenever possible, it sometimes resorts to strategic alignment to safeguard its national interests. In navigating the US–China rivalry, Hanoi consistently reassures both powers of its benign intentions while maintaining autonomy in policymaking. Vietnam's stance on issues tied to its core national interests is carefully calibrated to protect its legitimate concerns. Notably, when balancing its relations with the two superpowers, Hanoi tends to adopt a “China first, America later” approach, primarily driven by ideological affinity and threat perceptions.