Vietnam diplomacy

The past three years have seen a significant expansion in Vietnam's relations with its major regional and global partners.

Despite its growing prosperity and ambition, the country still has to tread a careful line between larger regional and global powers.

The agreement, Vietnam's first free trade deal with a Middle Eastern nation, comes after a busy couple of years in the country's foreign relations.

The country's omnidirectional foreign policy doctrine cushions it from changes in the domestic affairs of key partner states.

France has become the eighth nation, and the fifth in the past two years, to rise to the top of Hanoi's diplomatic hierarchy.

Hanoi's interpretation of its painful history with the U.S. and China reflects its desire to maintain peaceful relations with the two powers.

Over the past two years, Hanoi has hosted the leaders of five of its seven "comprehensive strategic partners." Russia's leader could be next.

Far from "refusing to choose" in its foreign relations, the country has been canny at deciding when – and where – to partner with more powerful countries.

The upgrade in ties was consistent with Hanoi's longstanding goal of building a network of relationships with the region and the world.

Hanoi's impending upgrade in relations with Washington is the right move. It needs to follow up by ensuring basic freedoms for its people.

The move is a win for U.S. diplomacy, but is consistent with Hanoi's goal of building relationships with all of the contending major powers.

Communist ideology is an important factor in the making of Hanoi's foreign policy, but it is far from the only one.