Khac Giang
@khacgiang.bsky.social
Researcher in Vietnamese Politics at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute. PhD in Political Science from Victoria University of Wellington.
Website: https://khacgiang.com/
Website: https://khacgiang.com/
In my long read for the Diplomat, I explore how Hanoi is balancing tariffs, China, and domestic reform in a world breaking apart. Have a read:
thediplomat.com/2025/07/how-...
thediplomat.com/2025/07/how-...
How Is Vietnam Navigating the New Trade War Era?
Can Vietnam adapt its economic model to this era of geopolitical fragmentation – or will it become collateral damage in someone else’s trade war?
thediplomat.com
August 6, 2025 at 3:33 AM
In my long read for the Diplomat, I explore how Hanoi is balancing tariffs, China, and domestic reform in a world breaking apart. Have a read:
thediplomat.com/2025/07/how-...
thediplomat.com/2025/07/how-...
Vietnam is pivoting to the private sector. My latest ISEAS
research explores To Lam’s bold plan, the rise of Vietnamese “chaebols,” and the risks of crony capitalism. Big bets, big stakes.
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
research explores To Lam’s bold plan, the rise of Vietnamese “chaebols,” and the risks of crony capitalism. Big bets, big stakes.
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
2025/50 “Grooming New Champions: To Lam Prepares for Private Sector-Led Growth in Vietnam” by Nguyen Khac Giang
In May 2025, the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam adopted Resolution 68 on the development of the private sector, marking a dramatic p...
www.iseas.edu.sg
July 15, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Vietnam is pivoting to the private sector. My latest ISEAS
research explores To Lam’s bold plan, the rise of Vietnamese “chaebols,” and the risks of crony capitalism. Big bets, big stakes.
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
research explores To Lam’s bold plan, the rise of Vietnamese “chaebols,” and the risks of crony capitalism. Big bets, big stakes.
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
My take on VN-Cambodia diplomatic reset. Make sense for both in the new era of great powers' uncertainty.
fulcrum.sg/mending-fenc...
fulcrum.sg/mending-fenc...
Mending Fences: Vietnam and Cambodia’s Diplomatic Reset | FULCRUM
The Ho Chi Minh City Summit signals a pragmatic reset in Vietnam-Cambodia relations, driven by economic interests rather than ideology. Successful cooperation would bring the added advantage of enh…
fulcrum.sg
March 13, 2025 at 8:14 AM
My take on VN-Cambodia diplomatic reset. Make sense for both in the new era of great powers' uncertainty.
fulcrum.sg/mending-fenc...
fulcrum.sg/mending-fenc...
Funny that China and VN, both are seen as very close partners of Putin's Russia, abstained.
"The United States voted with Russia, North Korea, Belarus and 14 other Moscow-friendly countries Monday on a resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine and calling for its occupied territory to be returned" www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. votes against U.N. resolution condemning Russia for Ukraine war
Washington’s shift on the Ukraine war marks a major break with European allies and comes as the Trump administration aims to repair relations with Russia.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 24, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Funny that China and VN, both are seen as very close partners of Putin's Russia, abstained.
Vietnam is on the cusp of its most ambitious bureaucratic overhaul since the 1986 Doi Moi reforms. In my latest Perspective, I examine the opportunities and challenges this bold initiative might bring to VN, as well as its implications for the upcoming 2026 Congress.
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
2025/14 “Vietnam’s Bureaucratic Reforms: Opportunities and Challenges in “The Era of National Rise”” by Nguyen Khac Giang
Vietnam is undertaking its most ambitious bureaucratic restructuring since the 1986 Doi Moi reforms began, with plans to merge ministries, streamline agencies, and reorganise party institutions at an ...
www.iseas.edu.sg
February 20, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Vietnam is on the cusp of its most ambitious bureaucratic overhaul since the 1986 Doi Moi reforms. In my latest Perspective, I examine the opportunities and challenges this bold initiative might bring to VN, as well as its implications for the upcoming 2026 Congress.
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
Must Vietnam's economic ascent come with Beijing's former smog? In my latest commentary, I examine how the country could sidestep China's environmental struggles while maintaining its economic momentum.
fulcrum.sg/airpocalypse...
fulcrum.sg/airpocalypse...
‘Airpocalypse’ Now: Vietnam at Crossroads of Progress and Pollution | FULCRUM
Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is ranked as one of the world’s most polluted cities in 2025. This dubious honour highlights the country’s need to balance rapid economic development with preserving the e…
fulcrum.sg
February 19, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Must Vietnam's economic ascent come with Beijing's former smog? In my latest commentary, I examine how the country could sidestep China's environmental struggles while maintaining its economic momentum.
fulcrum.sg/airpocalypse...
fulcrum.sg/airpocalypse...
My new work on the rise of online nationalism in Vietnam, co-authored with Dien Luong.
2024/103 “Understanding the Rise and Rise of Online Nationalism in Vietnam” by Dien Nguyen An Luong and Nguyen Khac Giang
Since 2016, Vietnam’s approach to online nationalism has evolved from reactive responses and sovereignty disputes into a sophisticated system of digital influence operations.
www.iseas.edu.sg
December 20, 2024 at 5:34 AM
My new work on the rise of online nationalism in Vietnam, co-authored with Dien Luong.
An excellent investigation into how Chinese investments, high-speed rail projects, geopolitics, and government complacency have transformed Laos into a banana (and durian) republic, with devastating environmental consequences.
www.mekongeye.com/2024/12/16/f...
www.mekongeye.com/2024/12/16/f...
Fruits of spoil: Laos' forests disappearing as fruit farms flourish
The country’s improved railway connectivity facilitates fruit exports to China but has also sparked a boom in foreign-owned banana and durian farms, leading to forest clearance
www.mekongeye.com
December 16, 2024 at 11:07 AM
An excellent investigation into how Chinese investments, high-speed rail projects, geopolitics, and government complacency have transformed Laos into a banana (and durian) republic, with devastating environmental consequences.
www.mekongeye.com/2024/12/16/f...
www.mekongeye.com/2024/12/16/f...
Reflecting on an unprecedented year in Vietnamese politics on the Vietnam Weekly Podcast with Michael Tatarski. Listen here:
open.spotify.com/episode/6vnJ...
open.spotify.com/episode/6vnJ...
The Year in Vietnamese Politics
The Vietnam Weekly Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com
December 16, 2024 at 3:32 AM
Reflecting on an unprecedented year in Vietnamese politics on the Vietnam Weekly Podcast with Michael Tatarski. Listen here:
open.spotify.com/episode/6vnJ...
open.spotify.com/episode/6vnJ...
Reposted by Khac Giang
Horrifying. ‘Authorities in Damascus…issued an appeal to those who used to work at the prison to supply the rebel forces with codes to underground electronic doors…"more than 100,000 detainees who can be seen on CCTV monitors"…’ www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
Syria latest: International community seeks stability after Assad overthrow
The US, Russia and other major powers react to the momentous events in Damascus on Sunday.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 9, 2024 at 8:14 AM
Horrifying. ‘Authorities in Damascus…issued an appeal to those who used to work at the prison to supply the rebel forces with codes to underground electronic doors…"more than 100,000 detainees who can be seen on CCTV monitors"…’ www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cj...
Reposted by Khac Giang
Asked if Assad was heading to the UAE, Gargash said: “When people ask where is Bashar al-Assad going to, I say, you know, when you really look at this, this is … a footnote in history. I’m reminded a little bit by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1918 … long exile.” apnews.com/article/isra...
Syria latest: Syrians celebrate Bashar Assad's fall as his whereabouts remain unknown
It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege.
apnews.com
December 8, 2024 at 9:09 AM
Asked if Assad was heading to the UAE, Gargash said: “When people ask where is Bashar al-Assad going to, I say, you know, when you really look at this, this is … a footnote in history. I’m reminded a little bit by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1918 … long exile.” apnews.com/article/isra...
Reposted by Khac Giang
🚨 Breaking: Assad’s government has fallen, and he has fled Damascus.
Sending thoughts and prayers to Tulsi Gabbard in this difficult time for her.
Sending thoughts and prayers to Tulsi Gabbard in this difficult time for her.
December 8, 2024 at 4:50 AM
🚨 Breaking: Assad’s government has fallen, and he has fled Damascus.
Sending thoughts and prayers to Tulsi Gabbard in this difficult time for her.
Sending thoughts and prayers to Tulsi Gabbard in this difficult time for her.
Reposted by Khac Giang
Ooh, look at this paper in the JEL.
For all you Red Plenty fans.
For all you Red Plenty fans.
Soviet Mathematics and Economic Theory in the Past Century: A Historical Reappraisal
(December 2024) - What are the effects of authoritarian regimes on scholarly research in economics? And how might economic theory survive ideological pressures? This article addresses these questions ...
www.aeaweb.org
December 5, 2024 at 7:31 PM
Ooh, look at this paper in the JEL.
For all you Red Plenty fans.
For all you Red Plenty fans.
Reposted by Khac Giang
the South Korean presidential system can be difficult for Americans to understand. Presidents can only serve a single five-year term, but their prison sentences vary in length.
December 3, 2024 at 11:46 PM
the South Korean presidential system can be difficult for Americans to understand. Presidents can only serve a single five-year term, but their prison sentences vary in length.
Quoted on this AP news article about the death sentencing of Vietnam's once most powerful businesswoman.
apnews.com/article/viet...
apnews.com/article/viet...
Vietnam court may commute tycoon's death sentences if she repays $11 billion
A court in Vietnam has upheld the death sentence for real estate tycoon Truong My Lan but said it could be commuted to life if she reimburses some $11 billion.
apnews.com
December 4, 2024 at 1:08 AM
Quoted on this AP news article about the death sentencing of Vietnam's once most powerful businesswoman.
apnews.com/article/viet...
apnews.com/article/viet...
"Despite their own overlapping claims, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur recognise that a fragmented Asean only benefits those who wish to dominate the South China Sea,” my comment for SCMP.
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
Is Hanoi quietly building Asean alliances on South China Sea code of conduct?
Diplomatic upgrade with Kuala Lumpur could lead to a more united front from claimant countries in their dispute with Beijing, analysts say.
www.scmp.com
November 30, 2024 at 10:41 AM
"Despite their own overlapping claims, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur recognise that a fragmented Asean only benefits those who wish to dominate the South China Sea,” my comment for SCMP.
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
Did a podcast with Sophal Ear and Julia Lau discussing Cambodia-Vietnam relations in light of their new leadership. One issue examined is Cambodia's recent withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area and what it means for the region.
fulcrum.sg/its-complica...
fulcrum.sg/its-complica...
It’s Complicated? Cambodia-Vietnam Relations Examined | FULCRUM
Fulcrum editor Julia Lau discusses the complex issue of Cambodia-Vietnam relations in light of their new leadership. One issue examined is Cambodia’s recent withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-…
fulcrum.sg
November 27, 2024 at 11:07 PM
Did a podcast with Sophal Ear and Julia Lau discussing Cambodia-Vietnam relations in light of their new leadership. One issue examined is Cambodia's recent withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area and what it means for the region.
fulcrum.sg/its-complica...
fulcrum.sg/its-complica...
Reposted by Khac Giang
📖 To celebrate the migration to Bluesky I will put everyone who reposts this before Dec 2nd into a random drawing & send the winner a free paperback copy of my 2021 book Making the World Safe for Dictatorship anywhere they happen to be in the world. 📖
November 26, 2024 at 1:10 PM
📖 To celebrate the migration to Bluesky I will put everyone who reposts this before Dec 2nd into a random drawing & send the winner a free paperback copy of my 2021 book Making the World Safe for Dictatorship anywhere they happen to be in the world. 📖
Reposted by Khac Giang
This year I spent months reporting in Colombia, Mexico, and California, following Chinese migrants hoping to seek asylum in the US. It's a route that's become known as 走线. We made a 4-part podcast series about their journey. The first episode is free this week: open.spotify.com/episode/0vTt...
Climbers (part one): A way out of China
Drum Tower · Episode
open.spotify.com
November 26, 2024 at 3:59 AM
This year I spent months reporting in Colombia, Mexico, and California, following Chinese migrants hoping to seek asylum in the US. It's a route that's become known as 走线. We made a 4-part podcast series about their journey. The first episode is free this week: open.spotify.com/episode/0vTt...
Does Vietnam have a trade rerouting problem? My new article for Fulcrum examines why and how Vietnam's soaring trade surplus with the US has raised suspicions, what the evidence really shows, and why perception matters more than reality in trade politics.
fulcrum.sg/vietnam-chin...
fulcrum.sg/vietnam-chin...
Vietnam, China and Rerouting: When Perceptions Matter as Much as Reality | FULCRUM
Vietnam’s growing trade surplus with the US strongly suggests that China uses Vietnam as a backdoor to dodge US tariffs. Such rerouting is actually lower than is imagined. Given that perceptions dr…
fulcrum.sg
November 26, 2024 at 6:36 AM
Does Vietnam have a trade rerouting problem? My new article for Fulcrum examines why and how Vietnam's soaring trade surplus with the US has raised suspicions, what the evidence really shows, and why perception matters more than reality in trade politics.
fulcrum.sg/vietnam-chin...
fulcrum.sg/vietnam-chin...
Reposted by Khac Giang
In my starter pack for think tanks on foreign policy, security and defence I have included a bunch of new orgs today. Don’t forget to follow my favourites @csds.bsky.social and @rielcano.bsky.social!
go.bsky.app/6xHtKYe
go.bsky.app/6xHtKYe
November 20, 2024 at 9:08 PM
In my starter pack for think tanks on foreign policy, security and defence I have included a bunch of new orgs today. Don’t forget to follow my favourites @csds.bsky.social and @rielcano.bsky.social!
go.bsky.app/6xHtKYe
go.bsky.app/6xHtKYe
Yet another "new normal" in Vietnamese politics these days as a former 'Four Pillars' leader faces official discipline for the first time - potentially setting the stage for prosecution of a former PM. My comment for Bloomberg.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Vietnam Takes ‘Unprecedented’ Disciplinary Action Over Graft
Vietnam’s Politburo has issued a disciplinary “warning” to former parliament chairman Vuong Dinh Hue for violating anti-corruption regulations, underscoring the ruling Communist Party’s determination ...
www.bloomberg.com
November 22, 2024 at 7:22 AM
Yet another "new normal" in Vietnamese politics these days as a former 'Four Pillars' leader faces official discipline for the first time - potentially setting the stage for prosecution of a former PM. My comment for Bloomberg.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Khac Giang
Hey folks, I put together a start pack of people who work on the development of political parties/elections and the implications for democracy.
go.bsky.app/JCTFeYq
go.bsky.app/JCTFeYq
November 20, 2024 at 8:43 PM
Hey folks, I put together a start pack of people who work on the development of political parties/elections and the implications for democracy.
go.bsky.app/JCTFeYq
go.bsky.app/JCTFeYq
Reposted by Khac Giang
Created a starter pack for social scientists on Bluesky who work on Southeast Asia. Please let me know if you'd like to be added/have a suggestion for someone you know that I've missed! go.bsky.app/Rzj3ND9
November 13, 2024 at 2:03 AM
Created a starter pack for social scientists on Bluesky who work on Southeast Asia. Please let me know if you'd like to be added/have a suggestion for someone you know that I've missed! go.bsky.app/Rzj3ND9
After 2019, VN media has skirted deep dives into the 1979 CN-VN border war anniversary. This VnE article subtly revisits it by showing a grim legacy: in Ha Giang alone, only 12,230 of 77,900 ha of mined areas have been cleared in 45 years.
vnexpress.net/an-gio-nam-s...
vnexpress.net/an-gio-nam-s...
'Ăn gió nằm sương' rà mìn chiến tranh biên giới phía Bắc
Những người lính công binh với dao phát, xẻng, thuốn sắt rà đất, gỡ từng quả mìn còn sót lại sau ngày biên giới Việt - Trung ngưng tiếng pháo.
vnexpress.net
February 16, 2024 at 1:50 AM
After 2019, VN media has skirted deep dives into the 1979 CN-VN border war anniversary. This VnE article subtly revisits it by showing a grim legacy: in Ha Giang alone, only 12,230 of 77,900 ha of mined areas have been cleared in 45 years.
vnexpress.net/an-gio-nam-s...
vnexpress.net/an-gio-nam-s...