Vietnam foreign policy

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.

The Russia-Ukraine war has rearranged the configuration of Vietnam’s web of partnerships but has not drastically changed its foreign policy approach. 

Vietnam's evolving strategic narrative, as articulated by To Lam, reflects a nation at the crossroads of global affairs.

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.

Indonesia would become the eighth nation, and the first in ASEAN, to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with Hanoi.

The two neighbors share deep historical, political, and geographic affinities, but these risk being weakened by the shifting regional balance of power.

The late party chief "left behind a party-state that governs mostly by control and coercion rather than consensus and legitimacy."

Like his late predecessor, To Lam will begin his tenure as general secretary of the CPV by traveling north to Beijing.

While his accession marks the beginning of a new era in Vietnamese politics, To Lam is unlikely to enact major changes to the country's domestic or foreign policy.