East Asia: Facts and Analytics 2026/1
DOI: 10.24412/2686-7702-2026-1-48-58
URL: PDF
Author
| Nguyen Thi Thanh Dung |
| The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics |
| ORCID: 0009-0005-1609-0607 |
| E-mail: dungnguyenthanhhcma@gmail.com |
Abstract
Ho Chi Minh’s foreign policy thought, anchored in the core principles of national independence and autonomy, pragmatic flexibility, and a harmonious balance between national strength and the demands of the age, has become a durable foundation for Vietnam’s external policy. The Vietnam-Russia relationship (formerly Vietnam-Soviet) exemplifies the resilience of this intellectual legacy. The article argues that Ho Chi Minh’s foreign policy thought is not merely a historical heritage but constitutes the conceptual basis for “sustainable diplomacy” built on three interacting pillars: an ideational foundation, which are the values of independence and peace; bilateral strategic interests, including cooperation in the fields of defence, energy and economics; and a long-standing historical and cultural legacy. The historical analysis and empirical case studies show that Vietnam has been able to preserve a strategic partnership with Russia while simultaneously diversifying its external relations to adapt to the U.S.-China competition and the repercussions of the Ukranian conflict. The study contributes to the theory of middle power diplomacy and provides practical recommendations for Vietnam, highlighting how a flexible application of Ho Chi Minh’s foreign policy thought can help safeguard national independence, pursue diversified foreign relations, and reinforce people-to-people diplomacy.
Keywords
Ho Chi Minh’s thought, Vietnam-Russia relations, Vietnam’s foreign policy, sustainable diplomacy, diversification
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Acknowledgments
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For citation
Nguyen Thi Thanh Dung (2026). Ho Chi Minh’s foreign policy thought is a foundation for sustainable Vietnam-Russia diplomacy. Vostochnaya Aziya: fakty i analitika [East Asia: Facts and Analytics], 8 (1): 48–58. DOI 10.24412/2686-7702-2026-1-48-58
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Dates
| Received Date: | Jan 21, 2026 |
| Accepted Date: | Feb 9, 2026 |
| Publication Date: | Mar 27, 2026 |