Author: John Gillespie, Monash University

In recent weeks, long running land disputes in Vietnam have begun to change shape. On 16 April, villagers in My Duc district on the outskirts of Hanoi held state officials and some police officers hostage. The villagers were protesting land clearances for a commercial development. Following a pledge from the city government to investigate their complaints, the hostages were freed. Read more…

Author: Hai Hong Nguyen, UQ

The first half of 2016 saw Vietnam’s fight against corruption gain new momentum. Having consolidated his power after being re-elected as Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Nguyen Phu Trong issued resolutions and directives aimed at tightening party members’ ethical conduct. Read more…

Authors: Mieczysław P Boduszyński and Tom Le, Pomona College

Former US president Barack Obama sought to move the United States away from what he saw as costly, distracting and unwinnable entanglements in the Middle East. Instead, he pivoted his foreign policy efforts towards Asia where he believed that US military, political and economic engagement could reap much greater rewards for the country. Read more…

Author: Victor Ferguson, ANU

Governments across the Asia Pacific have been searching for a path forward since President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Australia is leading the effort to salvage the agreement, holding high-level discussions across the course of the past fortnight with Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. Read more…

Author: Andrew Chubb, UWA

On 12 January, Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong arrived in China for a lavish, well publicised four-day official visit. Read more…

Author: Linh Tong, International Eurasia Press Fund

Vietnam’s population is ageing quickly. In 2017, more than 10 per cent of the population will be 60 and older, and in 15–20 years the elderly will account for one third of the total population. This raises concerns about healthcare, welfare and pensions for the elderly at a time when Vietnam is focusing on economic integration and requires a large labour force. Read more…

Author: Thomas Jandl, VNU

One year ago in this series, I argued that 2016 would be crucial for bringing domestic political structures in line with Vietnam’s new position in the global economic and security architecture. After the US election, Vietnam is in need of new and better advice. Vietnam needs to make its own pivot. Read more…