Vietnam's Strategic Island-Building in the South China Sea

Vietnam is actively challenging China's dominance in the South China Sea by constructing a series of fortified artificial islands in the Spratly Islands. Over the past four years, Vietnam has reclaimed land from the sea, transforming remote rocks, reefs, and atolls into military outposts equipped with ports, a two-mile-long airstrip, munitions storage, and defensive structures. This expansion is part of Vietnam's strategy to assert its claims in a region where its interests conflict with those of China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Vietnam is building islands to challenge China’s hold on a vital waterwayVietnam Is Building Islands to Challenge China’s Hold on a Vital Waterway - DredgeWire

The South China Sea is rich in oil and gas reserves and serves as a crucial maritime route for global trade. Historically, Vietnam has faced territorial aggression from China, which seized several features in the Spratlys and the Paracel Islands during conflicts in the 1970s and 1980s. More recently, China's control of Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012 heightened concerns among Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, about China's expanding influence and its potential to disrupt regional stability.

Vietnam is building islands to challenge China’s hold on a vital waterwayVietnam Is Building Islands to Challenge China’s Hold on a Vital Waterway - DredgeWire

Vietnam's land reclamation efforts began in earnest in 2021, utilizing dredging barges and land-based excavators to create new landmass. Notably, Sand Cay has evolved from a small island into a significant military outpost with extensive infrastructure. As of March 2025, Vietnam had constructed over 2,200 acres of artificial land, compared to China's nearly 4,000 acres in the same area. The Vietnamese government has not publicly commented on these developments, but officials emphasize the importance of protecting national sovereignty in the South China Sea.

Vietnam is building islands to challenge China’s hold on a vital waterway

Vietnam's actions are seen as a response to China's aggressive island-building and militarization in the region. Unlike China's confrontational stance towards the Philippines, Vietnam's relationship with China is more complex, characterized by economic interdependence and diplomatic engagement. Analysts suggest that Vietnam's military enhancements are intended to deter potential Chinese aggression while avoiding direct confrontation.

Vietnam is building islands to challenge China’s hold on a vital waterway

The United States has not publicly criticized Vietnam's island-building efforts, viewing them as a potential counterbalance to China's assertiveness. A State Department official reiterated the importance of resolving territorial disputes peacefully in accordance with international law. However, experts caution that Vietnam's relatively smaller military capabilities may limit its ability to defend these outposts in the event of a conflict.

Vietnam is building islands to challenge China’s hold on a vital waterway

“Vietnam wants to manage the dispute with China, but at the same time we want to prevent another Chinese surprise attack against those islands." — Khang Vu, Visiting Scholar, Boston College

Vietnam is building islands to challenge China’s hold on a vital waterway

“China’s island building represented a direct threat to a lot of Southeast Asian economic interests, the access to the waters, and…also was a threat to navigation and international maritime rights." — Khang Vu, Boston College

Vietnam is building islands to challenge China’s hold on a vital waterway

Vietnam's strategic island-building in the South China Sea reflects its efforts to assert sovereignty and counter China's influence in a region marked by complex territorial disputes. As tensions continue to rise, the implications for regional security and international maritime rights remain significant.

Vietnam is building islands to challenge China’s hold on a vital waterway