Vietnam's Leader Visits Russia and France as China Tensions Rise
This trip could reshape shipping routes and global prices for years.
Vietnam’s president and Communist Party chief, To Lam, is visiting Russia and France this week, with analysts saying the trip is meant to both rally support for Hanoi’s South China Sea claims and help fund Vietnam’s goal of becoming a high-income economy by 2045. The back-to-back visits to two opposing powers showcase Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy,” and Lam is expected to push Moscow and Paris to take Vietnam’s side in the maritime dispute, even though both officially remain neutral. The trip follows Vietnam’s strong diplomatic protests late last month against Chinese infrastructure work and land reclamation at Antelope Reef and Yagong Island.
- Vietnam's leader is meeting Putin and Macron back-to-back to seek support on the South China Sea.
- Vietnam recently protested China's land reclamation and new construction on two disputed islands.
- A third of global trade moves through these waters, so conflicts here can affect prices and shipping.
Why It Matters
Peace in the South China Sea protects global shipping and your wallet from expensive trade disruptions.