With overlapping states from various nations convergent in the resource-rich and strategically important canal, the South China Sea has long been a pot of stress and motivation. The conflicting and generally content relationship between Vietnam and China is at the center of the geopolitical debate.
The two countries previously allied during the Cold War are now at odds with one another in an escalating regional debate. Their adversaries ‘ conflict and hostility are clearly portrayed in the competing stories and power plays that determine their competitiveness in the conflicted waters.
China, with its sweeping “nine-dash line” claim, has aggressively pursued its goal of turning the South China Sea into what many see as a” Chinese lake”.
Beijing has transformed previously uninhabited islands into fierce military outposts thanks to enormous land reclamation tasks and the development of artificial islands with runways, weapon systems, and radar facilities.
These attempts, combined with regular naval patrols and political strong-arming, underscore China’s determination to argue supremacy over the area.
Vietnam, but, refuses to rear down. Vietnam is slowly but securely asserting its sovereignty, despite Beijing’s activities receiving a lot of media attention and frequently portraying the South China Sea dispute as a conflict between China and the United States or China and the Philippines.
Nowhere in the world is this more obvious than in the Spratly Islands, where Hanoi has increased its military presence in direct opposition to China’s wide states.
Vietnam’s approach is multi-faceted. On the one hand, it involves the design and development of military installations on the territory of its handle.
Vietnam had made significant progress toward land restoration in the Spratly Islands by the middle of 2024, growing roughly half as much territory as China did during the development of seven military installations between 2013 and 2016 compared to the start of 2016. This significant increase demonstrates Hanoi’s resolve to advance its proper position in the South China Sea.
Hanoi is upgrading its airstrips as well as fortifying its fortified troops with modern weapons and protective structures built to withstand potential attacks.
Vietnam is substantially expanding its security capabilities by using radar and maritime patrols to track activity in its disputed waters. These moves signal a calculated reply to China’s military, demonstrating Vietnam’s handle to protect its territorial dignity.
This confidence is rooted in Vietnam’s traditional experience. Vietnam views its independence with a strong sense of pride after enduring decades of Chinese dominance.
The South China Sea dispute, therefore, is not just about geographical boundaries or exposure to fish and undersea sources, it is a matter of national identity and traditional justification.
What makes Vietnam’s position particularly powerful is the David-versus-Goliath character of the conflict.
Vietnam has benefited from its strategic location, strong diplomatic ties, and expanding security partnerships to punch above its weight despite lacking the economic and military strength of its north neighbor.
Countries like the United States, Japan, and India have all recognized Vietnam’s crucial role in balancing China’s control in Southeast Asia. This has resulted in more military cooperation and arms deals that strengthen Hanoi’s defence capabilities.
Vietnam’s growing anger with ASEAN’s repeated delays and lack of cohesion in creating a bound Code of Conduct for the South China Sea has prompted Hanoi to map its own training in response to China’s extreme coastal growth.
Vietnam continues to support ASEAN as a foundation of regional diplomacy, but the bloc’s inability to form a unified front has made it difficult for it to confront a dominant and assertive power like China.
In response to this, Vietnam has adopted a dual strategy: promoting regional cooperation while pursuing independent actions to defend its sovereignty.
By constructing and upgrading bases, deploying advanced surveillance systems, and expanding its naval and air defense capabilities, Hanoi has significantly increased its military and strategic presence in tense areas, such as the Spratly and Paracel Islands.
It has also deepened partnerships with global powers, including the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, to counterbalance China’s influence and access advanced defense technologies. These alliances strengthen Vietnam’s military readiness and demonstrate its strategic significance in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Vietnam continues to support ASEAN as a foundation of regional diplomacy, but the bloc’s inability to form a unified front has made it difficult for it to confront a dominant and assertive power like China.
At its core, Vietnam’s approach reflects a pragmatic recalibration of its priorities, balancing regional multilateralism with self-reliance. This approach draws inspiration from its historical resilience in the face of larger adversaries, which demonstrates its unwavering support for its own interests and resistance to unilateral actions.
Vietnam’s assertive behavior sends a clear message to Beijing: it will not remain a passive observer while trying to reshape the South China Sea in its favor.
By adopting decisive measures, Hanoi is strengthening its position as a key player in the region’s geopolitical dynamics by upholding both solidarity and individual resolve. It is also urging others to acknowledge that collective security in Southeast Asia depends on both solidarity and individual resolve.
However, Vietnam’s actions are not without risk. Its strategic maneuver in the Spratlys could lead to a new escalation with China, whose military is significantly more sophisticated and sophisticated than Vietnam’s.
The future of the region, therefore, depends on the delicate balance of power between local actors like Vietnam and international players like the US, who both have vested interests in preserving freedom of navigation and preventing unilateral control by any one country.
In this complex geopolitical puzzle, Vietnam’s resilience stands out. By asserting its right to bear arms in the South China Sea, Hanoi is also sending a powerful message about how crucial it is to stand up to aggression no matter the odds.
One thing is certain: Vietnam is determined to chart its own course in one of the world’s most contested maritime regions. Whether this approach will lead to a peaceful resolution or further conflict is yet to be seen.
James Borton is the author of” Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground” and a non-resident senior fellow at Johns Hopkins/SAIS Foreign Policy Institute.