Full Breakdown
Vietnam's Shift Towards China's Governance Model
4/13/2026, 12:29:20 PM
Growing Alignment with China
Vietnam is increasingly adopting China's governance model, marked by a tightening of state control and an embrace of Chinese technology. This shift is particularly evident as Vietnam's party chief, To Lam, who has a background in public security, prepares for his first overseas trip to Beijing since becoming state president on April 7, 2026. Lam's visit is expected to result in numerous cooperation agreements, reflecting a new stage in Vietnam-China relations characterized by heightened political trust and substantive defense cooperation.
Technology and State Control
The warming ties between Vietnam and China are underscored by Vietnam's evolving stance on technology. The country has relaxed previous concerns regarding the use of Chinese equipment in its 5G network. Notably, Vietnam's largest internet provider, FPT, has announced investments in an undersea cable to be constructed by a Chinese vendor, despite U.S. sanctions against the telecom giant Huawei. Additionally, a telecom company under Vietnam's public security ministry is negotiating further 5G deals with Chinese firms.
Vietnam is also prioritizing state control over data regulation, mirroring China's centralized model. Draft regulations proposed by Vietnam's security ministry have raised alarms among Western tech companies and the U.S. government, as they impose limitations on cross-border data transfers. Plans to establish state-run data-trading exchanges overseen by the public security ministry further illustrate this trend, expanding the state's capacity for surveillance and strategic information deployment.
Economic Model Influenced by China
The Vietnamese Communist Party is advancing an economic model reminiscent of China's, focusing on subsidies, public investment, and large infrastructure projects. This includes direct cooperation with Beijing on sensitive initiatives, such as high-speed rail links. The popularity of platforms like TikTok in Vietnam has contributed to a more favorable public perception of China, leading to a decline in criticism of Beijing's actions in the South China Sea.
While Vietnam remains more open to foreign investment than China, the share of Chinese investments is on the rise. The Vietnamese economy is increasingly adopting unconventional monetary policies similar to China's, including tight foreign ownership caps and measures to stabilize equity markets during downturns.
Criticism and Concerns
Critics express concern that Vietnam's closer ties with China, without adequate safeguards, could negatively impact the country's security, prosperity, and autonomy, as well as its relations with the United States. Analysts warn that the rising power of Vietnam's police may be driving interest in Chinese-style social control tactics, raising alarms about the implications for civil liberties.
Official Statements and Responses
Vietnam's foreign ministry has not publicly commented on the growing alignment with China. However, experts like Nguyen Khac Giang from the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute note that Vietnam is pursuing a dual approach: learning from the Chinese model while selectively resisting its influence.
Verbatim Quotes
- "Vietnam-China relations have entered a new stage, marked by higher political trust, more substantive defence and security cooperation." — To Lam, State President of Vietnam
- "The police's rising power may partly explain a growing interest in Chinese-style social control tactics." — Nguyen Khac Giang, ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute
As Vietnam continues to navigate its relationship with China, the implications of this shift will be closely monitored by both regional and global observers.
