Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)

The clash is a milestone for Hanoi’s South China Sea claims – but marking its 50th anniversary requires discussing the government of South Vietnam. 

The recent prolonged absence of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong raised the question of how the Communist Party might deal with a leader's incapacitation or death.

The political vision of the Communist Party chief is built on a bedrock of Victorian moralism.

Hanoi's decision to join Beijing's "community of common destiny" is consistent with the country's longstanding policy of assurance toward its northern neighbor.

Nguyen Phu Thong's pledge came after last week's revelation of a gargantuan $12.5 billion financial scandal involving a Ho Chi Minh City-based real estate firm.

Nguyen Phu Trong believes he can purge and purify the Communist Party. But what if corruption is not a quirk of the system, but its essence?

Despite the significant upgrade to its relationship with the United States, China will continue to loom large in Vietnam's calculations.

During his visit to Hanoi, Biden and his hosts upgraded their relationship to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Like his Democratic predecessors Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Biden will preside over a significant upgrade in relations with Vietnam.

Among the most prominent officials were high-ranking members of the ministries of foreign affairs, public health, and public security.

The current stagnation could shock the ruling Communist Party into putting economic policy back into sensible hands.

The move has been justified by the need to fight online scams, but will further chill freedom of expression online.