{"id":52545,"date":"2019-12-13T12:30:12","date_gmt":"2019-12-13T01:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/?p=52545"},"modified":"2019-12-13T13:51:11","modified_gmt":"2019-12-13T02:51:11","slug":"resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/","title":{"rendered":"Resolute and determined: Vietnam\u2019s new defence white paper"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/figure>\n

Vietnam has just released its new defence white paper<\/a>, 10 years after the last one was issued in 2009. The 2019 document isn\u2019t fundamentally different from the earlier one\u2014there are limits on the extent of declaratory policy from Hanoi\u2014but it does acknowledge that the global situation is evolving rapidly in a multipolar direction and countries need to \u2018adjust [their] strategies to prioritise their national interests above all values\u2019.<\/p>\n

The Asia\u2013Pacific region, including Southeast Asia, \u2018continues to be a centre for dynamic development and occupies an increasingly important geo-economic, geo-political, and geo-strategic location\u2019. But it\u2019s also the major ground for great-power competition. Some of that is manifested in policies and programs, including the US-led free and open Indo-Pacific strategy, China\u2019s Belt and Road Initiative and India\u2019s \u2018Act East\u2019 policy.<\/p>\n

The white paper provides little detail about the defence budget beyond acknowledging in a footnote that defence spending amounted to 2.36% of GDP in 2018. It says that Vietnam is \u2018determined to develop its defence industry to meet national defence requirements\u2019, including by making \u2018selective investment in several advanced defence industrial establishments to move toward the formation of self-control, high-tech, and dual-use defence industrial groups or complexes\u2019.<\/p>\n

While it doesn\u2019t offer in-depth updates on the force structure and organisation of the defence force, the 2019 paper does elaborate on the strategic context and espouse the national strategy for protecting the homeland. Its strategic doctrine is based on the core pillars of self-reliance and resilience<\/a>, emphasising that the national defence struggle aims to settle all disputes peacefully.<\/p>\n

Among the elements that threaten regional stability and prosperity are the disputes in the South China Sea, referred to in the white paper as the \u2018East Sea\u2019. The 2019 document uses strong language to characterise a deteriorating strategic environment but stops short of naming the challenger:<\/p>\n

New developments in the East Sea, including unilateral actions, power-based coercion, violations of international law, militarisation, change in the status quo, and infringement upon Viet Nam\u2019s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction as provided in international law, have undermined the interests of nations concerned and threatened peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This statement captures recent developments in the South China Sea, particularly apparent since the arbitral tribunal ruling in 2016, which have seriously undermined the rules-based order in the region. More than anyone else, Vietnam has been at the forefront of those challenges, ranging from the threat posed by China\u2019s militarisation of artificial islands and naval build-up, to more targeted provocations like repeated incursions<\/a> into Vietnam\u2019s exclusive economic zone.<\/p>\n

As a self-described maritime nation, Vietnam pays special attention to the safety and protection of the seas, committing to freedom of navigation and overflight, free trade and peaceful economic activities at sea\u2014all in accordance with international law. The new white paper not only clearly spells out Hanoi\u2019s position, but also endeavours to distinguish Vietnam from those who don\u2019t contribute to the preservation of peace.<\/p>\n

The document elucidates Hanoi\u2019s threat perceptions and serves as a declaration of Vietnam\u2019s commitment to peaceful cooperation and its readiness to expand defence relations regardless of political differences or economic disparities. Importantly, it rejects any notion of acceding to defence cooperation measures under coercive conditions.<\/p>\n

Vietnam seeks to widen the scope of its international cooperation, declaring a willingness to cooperate in border protection, both land and maritime, including joint patrols and exchanges. The paper explicitly supports the right of innocent passage, as well as the security and safety of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n

In particular, the paper declares that Vietnam \u2018is willing to welcome vessels of navies, coast guards, border guards and international organisations to make courtesy or ordinary port visits or stop over in its ports to repair, replenish logistics and technical supplies or take refuges from national disasters\u2019.<\/p>\n

This stands as a direct rejection of measures aimed at limiting regional actors\u2019 defence cooperation with external powers\u2014something that China has suggested should be included in ASEAN\u2019s code of conduct<\/a> for the South China Sea.<\/p>\n

Hanoi\u2019s defence posture is well expressed in this concise document. It clearly conveys Vietnam\u2019s awareness of the growing external threats to its national sovereignty as well as its determination to promote a peaceful international environment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vietnam has just released its new defence white paper, 10 years after the last one was issued in 2009. The 2019 document isn\u2019t fundamentally different from the earlier one\u2014there are limits on the extent of …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":755,"featured_media":52548,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[606,56,25,540],"class_list":["post-52545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-defence-white-paper","tag-indo-pacific","tag-southeast-asia","tag-vietnam"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nResolute and determined: Vietnam\u2019s new defence white paper | The Strategist<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Resolute and determined: Vietnam\u2019s new defence white paper | The Strategist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Vietnam has just released its new defence white paper, 10 years after the last one was issued in 2009. The 2019 document isn\u2019t fundamentally different from the earlier one\u2014there are limits on the extent of ...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Strategist\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ASPI.org\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-12-13T01:30:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2019-12-13T02:51:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/vietnam1312.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Huong Le Thu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ASPI_org\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ASPI_org\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Huong Le Thu\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/\",\"name\":\"The Strategist\",\"description\":\"ASPI's analysis and commentary site\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/vietnam1312.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/vietnam1312.jpg\",\"width\":800,\"height\":500},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/\",\"name\":\"Resolute and determined: Vietnam\u2019s new defence white paper | The Strategist\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2019-12-13T01:30:12+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2019-12-13T02:51:11+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/#\/schema\/person\/9017e2ecb7fce5f860f333af39a2885a\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Resolute and determined: Vietnam\u2019s new defence white paper\"}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/#\/schema\/person\/9017e2ecb7fce5f860f333af39a2885a\",\"name\":\"Huong Le Thu\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3bc4b907dcb655029eb591425eba2061?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3bc4b907dcb655029eb591425eba2061?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Huong Le Thu\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/author\/huong-le-thu\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Resolute and determined: Vietnam\u2019s new defence white paper | The Strategist","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Resolute and determined: Vietnam\u2019s new defence white paper | The Strategist","og_description":"Vietnam has just released its new defence white paper, 10 years after the last one was issued in 2009. The 2019 document isn\u2019t fundamentally different from the earlier one\u2014there are limits on the extent of ...","og_url":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/","og_site_name":"The Strategist","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ASPI.org","article_published_time":"2019-12-13T01:30:12+00:00","article_modified_time":"2019-12-13T02:51:11+00:00","og_image":[{"width":800,"height":500,"url":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/vietnam1312.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Huong Le Thu","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@ASPI_org","twitter_site":"@ASPI_org","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Huong Le Thu","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/","name":"The Strategist","description":"ASPI's analysis and commentary site","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/vietnam1312.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/vietnam1312.jpg","width":800,"height":500},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/","url":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/","name":"Resolute and determined: Vietnam\u2019s new defence white paper | The Strategist","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2019-12-13T01:30:12+00:00","dateModified":"2019-12-13T02:51:11+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/#\/schema\/person\/9017e2ecb7fce5f860f333af39a2885a"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/resolute-and-determined-vietnams-new-defence-white-paper\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Resolute and determined: Vietnam\u2019s new defence white paper"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/#\/schema\/person\/9017e2ecb7fce5f860f333af39a2885a","name":"Huong Le Thu","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3bc4b907dcb655029eb591425eba2061?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3bc4b907dcb655029eb591425eba2061?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Huong Le Thu"},"url":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/author\/huong-le-thu\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52545"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/755"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52545"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52545\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52558,"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52545\/revisions\/52558"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aspistrategist.ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}