Khang Vu
@khangxvu.bsky.social
Boston College visiting scholar and Ph.D. Korea & Vietnam watcher.
Vietnam is elevating foreign affairs to a ‘Core, Frequent’ mission on par with national defense and public security at the upcoming 14th national congress of the Communist Party. For @thediplomat.com, I explain the significance of the shift.
thediplomat.com/2025/11/why-...
thediplomat.com/2025/11/why-...
Why Vietnam Is Elevating Foreign Affairs to a ‘Core, Frequent’ Mission
The Communist Party’s upcoming 14th National Congress is set to mark an important change in the country’s approach to foreign policy.
thediplomat.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Vietnam is elevating foreign affairs to a ‘Core, Frequent’ mission on par with national defense and public security at the upcoming 14th national congress of the Communist Party. For @thediplomat.com, I explain the significance of the shift.
thediplomat.com/2025/11/why-...
thediplomat.com/2025/11/why-...
Will North Korea defend China in a Taiwan war if US intervenes on Taiwan's side? That is the question I tackle in my @lowyinstitute.bsky.social oped. North Korea's help with Russia's liberation of Kursk means it won't sit idly by when its ally China is attacked.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Will North Korea defend China in a Taiwan war?
Pyongyang’s contribution to Moscow’s war against Ukraine means a difficult question needs to be asked in the event shooting starts.
www.lowyinstitute.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Will North Korea defend China in a Taiwan war if US intervenes on Taiwan's side? That is the question I tackle in my @lowyinstitute.bsky.social oped. North Korea's help with Russia's liberation of Kursk means it won't sit idly by when its ally China is attacked.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
President Lee Jae-myung's “Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization” initiative to reengage Pyongyang is ambitious, but it's likely to fail. This is because END is built on outdated assumptions about North Korea. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/11/lee-...
thediplomat.com/2025/11/lee-...
Lee Jae-myung’s North Korea Policy Is Built on Outdated Assumptions
Every South Korean liberal president, including Lee, has built their North Korea policy on three assumptions. None of them still holds true.
thediplomat.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM
President Lee Jae-myung's “Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization” initiative to reengage Pyongyang is ambitious, but it's likely to fail. This is because END is built on outdated assumptions about North Korea. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/11/lee-...
thediplomat.com/2025/11/lee-...
I'm happy to share that my dissertation chapter on the logic of Vietnam's alliance policy and its alliances with Laos and the Soviet Union is now out at Asian Survey. Many thanks to my professors, the editorial team, reviewers, and friends!
online.ucpress.edu/as/article/d...
online.ucpress.edu/as/article/d...
November 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I'm happy to share that my dissertation chapter on the logic of Vietnam's alliance policy and its alliances with Laos and the Soviet Union is now out at Asian Survey. Many thanks to my professors, the editorial team, reviewers, and friends!
online.ucpress.edu/as/article/d...
online.ucpress.edu/as/article/d...
Pleased to share that I was quoted in this Wall Street Journal report on Vietnam's island building activities in the South China Sea.
www.wsj.com/world/asia/v...
www.wsj.com/world/asia/v...
Vietnam Is Building Islands to Challenge China’s Hold on a Vital Waterway
The contested South China Sea boasts rich oil and gas reserves and could play a key role in a conflict over Taiwan.
www.wsj.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Pleased to share that I was quoted in this Wall Street Journal report on Vietnam's island building activities in the South China Sea.
www.wsj.com/world/asia/v...
www.wsj.com/world/asia/v...
General Secretary To Lam's visit to North Korea shows Hanoi wants to bridge differences between the West and a China-Russia-North Korea bloc. Hanoi will explore the possibility of another Trump-Kim summit on this occasion. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Vietnam is courting North Korea – and still winning Western friends
Hanoi’s multilateral approach lets it engage both Pyongyang and Washington, punching above its weight diplomatically.
www.lowyinstitute.org
October 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
General Secretary To Lam's visit to North Korea shows Hanoi wants to bridge differences between the West and a China-Russia-North Korea bloc. Hanoi will explore the possibility of another Trump-Kim summit on this occasion. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
China isn't the only country ignoring Hanoi's island-building activities. The US, the Philippines, ASEAN, and even Taiwan also downplay Hanoi's actions. I explain @thediplomat.com how Hanoi's non-aligned foreign policy has muted international reactions.
thediplomat.com/2025/10/how-...
thediplomat.com/2025/10/how-...
How Vietnam’s Non-Aligned Foreign Policy Helps Bolster Its Position in the South China Sea
Hanoi’s expansion of its outposts in the Spratly Islands has prompted little opposition from rival claimants, including China.
thediplomat.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:16 PM
China isn't the only country ignoring Hanoi's island-building activities. The US, the Philippines, ASEAN, and even Taiwan also downplay Hanoi's actions. I explain @thediplomat.com how Hanoi's non-aligned foreign policy has muted international reactions.
thediplomat.com/2025/10/how-...
thediplomat.com/2025/10/how-...
Are there North Korean troops in Ukraine? Recent media reports claim that there are. However, as I explain for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social, those reports lack reliable evidence of North Korean soldiers operating beyond Kursk.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Are there actually North Korean troops inside Ukraine?
With no reliable evidence of North Korean soldiers beyond Kursk, the reality isn’t matching the media hype.
www.lowyinstitute.org
September 11, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Are there North Korean troops in Ukraine? Recent media reports claim that there are. However, as I explain for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social, those reports lack reliable evidence of North Korean soldiers operating beyond Kursk.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
In my latest for @thediplomat.com, I explain why Vietnam's demographic decline will reinforce Hanoi's non-aligned foreign policy. Eschewing foreign military commitments and modernizing armed forces will be vital to managing the decline.
thediplomat.com/2025/08/why-...
thediplomat.com/2025/08/why-...
Why Vietnam’s Demographic Decline Will Reinforce Its Non-Aligned Foreign Policy
The country’s falling birthrate increases the urgency of creating a streamlined military deterrent – and maintaining good relations with regional powers.
thediplomat.com
August 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
In my latest for @thediplomat.com, I explain why Vietnam's demographic decline will reinforce Hanoi's non-aligned foreign policy. Eschewing foreign military commitments and modernizing armed forces will be vital to managing the decline.
thediplomat.com/2025/08/why-...
thediplomat.com/2025/08/why-...
In my latest for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social, I dissect North Korea's logic behind its ambitious naval modernization program. The program makes little military sense, but it helps Kim Jong-un cement his legacy entering his 15th year of supreme leadership.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Kim Jong-un builds destroyers his grandfather never could – to what ends?
Pyongyang’s navy program drains resources from proven deterrents but gives Kim a legacy project to rival his ancestors.
www.lowyinstitute.org
August 19, 2025 at 2:51 AM
In my latest for @lowyinstitute.bsky.social, I dissect North Korea's logic behind its ambitious naval modernization program. The program makes little military sense, but it helps Kim Jong-un cement his legacy entering his 15th year of supreme leadership.
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
The Thailand-Cambodia clash is testing ASEAN centrality. Learning from the lesson of the Vietnam-Cambodia border war of 1978, ASEAN should avoid great-power intervention and settle the dispute peacefully and diplomatically. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Thailand-Cambodia clashes pose a serious test to ASEAN centrality
Border violence between two members undermines the bloc’s credibility and risks drawing in great power competition.
www.lowyinstitute.org
July 28, 2025 at 3:21 AM
The Thailand-Cambodia clash is testing ASEAN centrality. Learning from the lesson of the Vietnam-Cambodia border war of 1978, ASEAN should avoid great-power intervention and settle the dispute peacefully and diplomatically. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Vietnam is different from the rest of Asia in that it doesn't depend on U.S. for security and China for trade. In fact, the opposite is true. Because VN prioritizes security over economy, Trump using tariff to isolate it from China will fail. My latest.
thediplomat.com/2025/07/why-...
thediplomat.com/2025/07/why-...
Why Vietnam Will Not Balance Against China
Vietnam is different from the rest of Asia in that it does not depend on the U.S. for security and China for trade. In fact, the opposite is true.
thediplomat.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Vietnam is different from the rest of Asia in that it doesn't depend on U.S. for security and China for trade. In fact, the opposite is true. Because VN prioritizes security over economy, Trump using tariff to isolate it from China will fail. My latest.
thediplomat.com/2025/07/why-...
thediplomat.com/2025/07/why-...
South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung will have to address the Russia-North Korea alliance. However, like his predecessor Yoon Suk-yeol, Lee will not be able to break it. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Can Seoul’s soft diplomacy break the Russia–North Korea alliance?
Pyongyang is reaping the benefits of its relationship with Moscow. South Korea’s new president wants to woo them back.
www.lowyinstitute.org
July 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung will have to address the Russia-North Korea alliance. However, like his predecessor Yoon Suk-yeol, Lee will not be able to break it. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
As long as former enemies respect Vietnam’s territorial integrity & political system, VN is ready to make amends with them like with France, US, China. RVN sympathizers should respect VN's political system for reconciliation to begin. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/05/unde...
thediplomat.com/2025/05/unde...
Understanding The Logic of Vietnam’s Reconciliation Policy
Hanoi is willing to let bygones be bygones, but many RVN sympathizers refuse to accept the legitimacy of the country’s communist political system.
thediplomat.com
May 14, 2025 at 2:29 PM
As long as former enemies respect Vietnam’s territorial integrity & political system, VN is ready to make amends with them like with France, US, China. RVN sympathizers should respect VN's political system for reconciliation to begin. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/05/unde...
thediplomat.com/2025/05/unde...
North Korea's growing casualties and its plan to send more troops to Russia are unnerving the population. Pyongyang acknowledging its troops dying in Russia is to soothe public anger and justify more troop dispatch. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Why has North Korea finally admitted its troops are dying in Russia’s war on Ukraine?
Not even the Hermit Kingdom is immune to domestic pressure.
www.lowyinstitute.org
May 13, 2025 at 12:08 AM
North Korea's growing casualties and its plan to send more troops to Russia are unnerving the population. Pyongyang acknowledging its troops dying in Russia is to soothe public anger and justify more troop dispatch. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Trump's 46% tariffs on Vietnam won't change the trajectory of Vietnam's foreign policy vis-a-vis the major powers, but they suggest to Vietnam that Hanoi is dispensable despite what the US says about Vietnam's geopolitical importance. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/04/trum...
thediplomat.com/2025/04/trum...
Trump’s Tariffs Won’t Change the Trajectory of Vietnam’s Foreign Policy
The country’s economic response to the tariffs will be guided by its multilateral and diversified foreign policy approach.
thediplomat.com
April 7, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Trump's 46% tariffs on Vietnam won't change the trajectory of Vietnam's foreign policy vis-a-vis the major powers, but they suggest to Vietnam that Hanoi is dispensable despite what the US says about Vietnam's geopolitical importance. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/04/trum...
thediplomat.com/2025/04/trum...
Reposted by Khang Vu
A smart quick reax from @khangxvu.bsky.social to the extraordinary conclusion of the Yoon presidency in South Korea. History echoes - with Donald Trump in the White House, and the prospect of getting back to talks with North Korea. But it won't be fast. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
After Yoon’s impeachment: The steep path to get the Koreas talking again
South Korea is headed back to the polls, just like its 2017. But different.
www.lowyinstitute.org
April 4, 2025 at 6:15 AM
A smart quick reax from @khangxvu.bsky.social to the extraordinary conclusion of the Yoon presidency in South Korea. History echoes - with Donald Trump in the White House, and the prospect of getting back to talks with North Korea. But it won't be fast. www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Yoon Suk-yeol's removal has opened a pathway for a Lee Jae-myung presidency. However, the path back to inter-Korean dialogue will be steep due to North Korea's alliance with Russia and South Korea's domestic polarization. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
After Yoon’s impeachment: The steep path to get the Koreas talking again
South Korea is headed back to the polls, just like its 2017. But different.
www.lowyinstitute.org
April 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Yoon Suk-yeol's removal has opened a pathway for a Lee Jae-myung presidency. However, the path back to inter-Korean dialogue will be steep due to North Korea's alliance with Russia and South Korea's domestic polarization. My latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
South Korean court removes president from office, says he violated duties
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
South Korean court removes president from office, says he violated duties
The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his attempt to impose martial law, a decision expected to exacerbate political divisions.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 4, 2025 at 2:27 AM
South Korean court removes president from office, says he violated duties
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Nguyen The Phuong of UNSW Canberra neglected to cite my works on Vietnam's grand strategy and maritime-continental dilemma in his ISEAS article published in November 2024. He also did not cite other authors and presented those ideas as if they were his.
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
2024/98 “The Funan Techo Canal and Vietnam’s Maritime-Continental Dilemma” by Nguyen The Phuong
Cambodia’s Funan Techo Canal Project has significant environmental implications for both Cambodia and Vietnam.
www.iseas.edu.sg
March 28, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Nguyen The Phuong of UNSW Canberra neglected to cite my works on Vietnam's grand strategy and maritime-continental dilemma in his ISEAS article published in November 2024. He also did not cite other authors and presented those ideas as if they were his.
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-com...
North Korea's decision to seal its border to tourists one month after opening it seems puzzling. However, the country has reasons to reverse course because it wants to keep its population unaware of troop casualties in Russia. Latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
The North Korea tourist trap
The border opened to foreign visitors for only a month before being sealed again. North Korean troops in Russia might be the reason.
www.lowyinstitute.org
March 20, 2025 at 3:21 AM
North Korea's decision to seal its border to tourists one month after opening it seems puzzling. However, the country has reasons to reverse course because it wants to keep its population unaware of troop casualties in Russia. Latest @lowyinstitute.bsky.social
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpre...
Southeast Asian countries involving the US into their maritime disputes with China may be counterproductive because it hardens Chinese attitude toward SEA. SEA should learn from Vietnam's experience of settling disputes with China. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/03/what...
thediplomat.com/2025/03/what...
What Southeast Asian Countries Can Learn from Vietnam’s History of Negotiating Territorial Disputes with China
The involvement of an extra-regional great power in a small power’s territorial disputes with China may prove counterproductive.
thediplomat.com
March 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Southeast Asian countries involving the US into their maritime disputes with China may be counterproductive because it hardens Chinese attitude toward SEA. SEA should learn from Vietnam's experience of settling disputes with China. My latest @thediplomat.com
thediplomat.com/2025/03/what...
thediplomat.com/2025/03/what...
Reposted by Khang Vu
On today's SEA Radio podcast, Elina Noor and I chat with @khangxvu.bsky.social about Vietnam's massive govt restructuring plans and "Era of National Rise" www.csis.org/podcasts/sou...
Vietnam’s “Era of National Rise” with Khang Vu | Southeast Asia Radio | CSIS Podcasts
Greg and Elina talk with Khang Vu. They discuss Vietnam’s bureaucratic reforms and its declaration of an “Era of National Rise.”
www.csis.org
March 6, 2025 at 9:54 PM
On today's SEA Radio podcast, Elina Noor and I chat with @khangxvu.bsky.social about Vietnam's massive govt restructuring plans and "Era of National Rise" www.csis.org/podcasts/sou...
Reposted by Khang Vu
Eyeballs - Newsweek quotes @khangxvu.bsky.social from Interpreter @lowyinstitute.bsky.social and his analysis on the North Korean troops fighting with Russia against Ukraine. www.newsweek.com/trump-says-m...
Trump says North Korean soldiers "wiped out" in Ukraine war
Ukraine has said approximately one-third of the 11,000 North Koreans believed to have been deployed to Russia have been killed or injured.
www.newsweek.com
February 19, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Eyeballs - Newsweek quotes @khangxvu.bsky.social from Interpreter @lowyinstitute.bsky.social and his analysis on the North Korean troops fighting with Russia against Ukraine. www.newsweek.com/trump-says-m...