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The Diplomat
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Diplomat
Reflecting on the Vietnam Communist Party's Soliloquy to the Private Sector
If Resolution 68 is to be believed, state-owned enterprises are about to lose what remains of their special privileges. In early May, the Politburo of the Vietnam Communist Party (VCP) issued a new resolution on private sector development. It was one of four resolutions issued by the Hanoi leadership that General Secretary To Lam has billed as pillars intended to help the country advance. For those desiring a new wave of reforms that can unlock Vietnam's next economic growth phase, Resolution 68 was heralded as an important policy document, and even a 'new dawn.' It goes further than the VCP has previously gone to recognize the key role of the private sector in Vietnam's economic growth trajectory, some have argued. One local law firm told clients that Resolution 68 '…marks a turning point: the private sector is no longer seen as a supporting actor – it is now positioned as a core driver of Vietnam's socialist-oriented market economy.' Another local law firm said the resolution '… marks a significant shift in mindset, positioning the private sector not just as a supplement to the public sector, but as a vital component of the country's overall economic structure.' To be clear, the document was issued by the VCP, and not by a state body per se. However, the government apparatus – supported by various VCP-affiliated organizations – is now tasked with turning the spirit of the resolution, couched in the slightly hyperbolic and yet leaden Hanoi-speak of the VCP, into tangible actions that bring about impactful results. Given that various arms of the government have been working to catalyze and nurture the private sector in Vietnam for well over three decades, albeit with mixed success, why did the VCP feel the need to issue such a resolution, and to whom is it addressed? Some might argue that it is part of Vietnam's bid to convince the U.S. Department of Commerce that Vietnam is indeed a market economy at a time when the issues of trade and tariffs are at the top of the economic agenda. As recently as August 2024, Washington re-confirmed that it deems Vietnam to be a non-market economy (a status currently held by just a dozen countries), which has ramifications for the way the U.S. assesses duties on Vietnamese exports and any accusations of dumping. The Commerce Department noted that, despite recent reform efforts, the government's 'extensive involvement' in the economy 'distorts Vietnamese prices and costs.' It is certainly true that the Vietnamese government's direct ownership of numerous state-owned enterprises and its degree of control over a raft of business resources are legacy issues of Vietnam's pre-1990s command economy past. It is also true that until now, the most commercially successful element of the private sector has been the foreign-invested part of it (albeit with a few exceptions that prove the rule). The degree of success Vietnam has had over the last 40 years in attracting foreign direct investment has not been mirrored in developing a more home-grown, non-state-owned sector. State-owned enterprises (and the government that owns them) have been partly to blame, by crowding out private sector rivals in some sectors, but they are by no means the only culprits. It is widely recognized that the enabling environment for private companies to flourish and attain the economies of scale necessary to compete effectively has not been wholly conducive; more like passive-aggressive. If Resolution 68 is to be believed, state-owned enterprises are about to lose what remains of their special privileges. Nonetheless, old habits die hard. In an echo of the command economy days, the resolution sets various aspirational targets for private sector development by 2030, such as doubling the number of private sector firms, having 20 such firms for every 1,000 citizens, its contribution to GDP and the labor force… the list goes on. The leadership's somewhat romantic fondness for small and medium-sized enterprises persists, even though what Vietnam really needs is a cadre of large private sector firms that can take on state-owned enterprises and foreign-invested firms at their own game, rather than having to negotiate a route around them. The biggest gift that Hanoi's leadership could give the private sector would be to release it of such arbitrary goals, and grant it the independence to get on and be commercially successful by focusing on and leveraging the capabilities and expertise that lie within many Vietnamese firms. If the party now loves the private sector, then let it go. This year is expected to see Vietnam refresh its national Constitution, something that the country does every decade or so. Understandably, most attention is on governance aspects of the constitution, particularly in the light of changes being made at the national and provincial levels of government. But there may also be some changes in those parts that pertain to the economy, as the mindset changes entailed in Resolution 68 begin to sit uncomfortably with some articles in the constitution. For example, Article 51 of the Constitution declares that the 'Vietnamese economy is a socialist-oriented market economy with multi-forms of ownership and multi-sectors of economic structure; the state economic sector plays the leading role.' In some ways, Resolution 68 has the feel of a soliloquy to the private sector, by the VCP, as if seeking to convince itself, as much as anyone else, whether domestic or foreign, that Vietnam's future economic prospects will be a function of successful private sector development. Given the recent spate of high-profile scandals in the corporate and banking sectors, maybe Hanoi feels a need to renew its vows to the market economy, however 'socialist-oriented.' As to whether Resolution 68 will be sufficient to convince the U.S. administration that today's Vietnam is indeed a market economy, it is conceivable that Washington will be looking to see what changes are made to the wording of the Constitution, including references in Article 4 to the VCP employing 'Marxist-Leninist doctrine and Ho Chi Minh's thought.'
Gulf Today
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Vietnam celebrates 50th anniversary of victory over US
Vietnam celebrated the 50th anniversary of the victory of then communist North Vietnam over the United States, in which 3 million Vietnamese and 60,000 Americans had died. It was the defining war of the Cold War, which was an overt rivalry between democracies ostensibly led the United States and communism symbolised by the Ho Chi Minh-led North Vietnam. Of course, then Soviet Union, now Russia, and China had supported the communist government in North Vietnam. It was a war that the Americans did not win. It took another 15 years for communism to collapse in Russia and in Eastern Europe. But Vietnam remains defiantly communist. Like China, Vietnam does not follow the old communist-style ideology. Vietnam had embraced market economy, shook hands with old foe United States and it has prospered. Even as Vietnam staged a spectacular victory parade in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, in which Vietnamese, Chinese, Cambodian and Laotian soldiers participated, Vietnam Communist Party chief To Lam described the victory as a nationalist triumph of the Vietnamese nation. There is of course the irony in the fact that orthodox communists do not believe in nationalism, but both Vietnamese and Chinese leaders take immense pride in their respective nationalisms. Vietnamese Communist Party General-Secretary To Lam described the Vietnamese victory as 'a victory of faith', and cited Ho Chi Minh's motto, 'Vietnam is one, the Vietnamese people are one. Rivers may dry up, mountains may erode, but that truth will never change.' Saigon fell on April 30, 1975 to the Vietnamese communist forces. The city which served as the capital of then South Vietnam government supported by Americans, was renamed Ho Chi Minh city, the legendary Communist Party leader of Vietnam. And two parts of the country, North and South Vietnam, were united two years later. The united post-war Vietnam established diplomatic relations with the United States in 1995, and it had also become the strategic partner of the US in 2023. The trade and economic relations between the former ideological rivals had become close, and Vietnam is today one of the prosperous economies in the region and in the world. The Vietnamese have stuck to the single party rule of the Communist Party but they have opened up their economy, and they did not hesitate to forge economic ties with the United States. The reason for the resilience of the Vietnamese Communist Party is the gratitude of the people that it stood up to the might of the then superpower, the United States, and it did not allow the country to split. Vietnam could have ended up like Korea, divided into communist North Korea and generally democratic South Korea. But they remain separated. North Vietnam could have struck a deal with United States and settled for a divided Vietnam, where the communists remained in power in the north and the American-supported regime in the south. But the Vietnamese communists stuck to the principle and idea of a united Vietnam, and did not pause until they had achieved it. The victory of the Vietnamese over the Americans was seen as that of David against Goliath, the small nation against the big one. But the Vietnamese soon realised that there in no point in gloating over victory once victory was achieved. They changed tracks quickly enough and looked to the future prospects of the country. They realised that the future could be bright only with a strong and vibrant economy, and they unhesitatingly embraced the market economy and capitalism. They did not let ideological blinkers come in the way. Americans might argue that they might have lost the war, but they won the war of ideas. And the Vietnamese can justifiably claim that they preserved the unity of their country which was the most important challenge.
Los Angeles Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Vietnam celebrates 50 years since war's end with focus on peace and unity
HO CHI MINH CITY — Vietnam on Wednesday celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the war with the United States and the formation of its modern nation with a military parade and a focus on a peaceful future. The fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, marked the end of a Vietnam divided into the communist North and U.S.-allied South, and the country's top official told crowds that Vietnam has been experiencing ever increasing unity since then. 'All the Vietnamese are the descendants of Vietnam. They have the rights to live and work, to have freedom to pursue happiness and love in this country,' said To Lam, the Vietnam Communist Party's general secretary. 'In a spirit of closing the past, respecting differences, aiming for the future, the whole party, the people and the army vow to make Vietnam become a country of peace, unity, prosperity and development,' he added. Thousands camped overnight on the streets of the former South Vietnamese capital, which was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after it fell to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops, to get the best vantage point for the parade. Many lingered on the streets later in the afternoon and had picnics while waiting for drone and fireworks shows in the evening. The red and yellow of Vietnam's national flag was everywhere in the city — fluttering from buildings, painted on the faces of eager teenagers and on the T-shirts of those who had traveled to the city from all over the country. 'Now it's time for peace,' said spectator Nguyen Thi Hue, a city resident. 'Peace is the dream that everyone in the world wants.' One float carried the mythical Lac bird, Vietnam's emblem, another a portrait of former leader Ho Chi Minh. Chinese, Laotian and Cambodian troops marched behind Vietnamese army formations, including some wearing uniforms similar to those worn by North Vietnamese troops during the war. Helicopters carrying the national flag and jets flew over the parade near Independence Palace, where a North Vietnamese tank smashed through the gates on the final day of the war. Crowds soaked in the spectacle as they gathered outside the barricades and at some street corners where giant screens had been set up. Phones raised and eyes wide, people waved and cheered at the marching soldiers. Those at home huddled over their television sets. Sitting next to Vietnam's leader were Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen and Laotian Communist Party General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith. To Lam said beyond a victory over the U.S. and South Vietnam, the fall of Saigon was a 'glorious landmark' that ended a 30-year fight for independence that began with the fight to oust French colonial troops. He said Vietnam owes its position in the world today to support from the Soviet Union, China and solidarity from Laos and Cambodia, as well as 'progressive' people all over the world, including in the U.S., he said. The emphasis on reconciliation and not, as in previous years, on military victory reflected how Vietnam was approaching the changing tides of the global economy and geopolitics, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore's ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. He added that the Vietnam War remains central to how the Communist Party framed its legitimacy, not just as a military triumph, but also as a symbol of national unity. But To Lam's comments underlined that the reconciliation remains unfinished. 'The war still defines Vietnam's unity, and its unresolved divides,' Giang said. For Pham Ngoc Son, a veteran who fought for the communists, today there is 'only space for peace and friendship' between the U.S. and Vietnam. 'The war is over a long time ago,' said the 69-year-old who, during the war, served as an army truck driver bringing troops and supplies from the north to the south along the Ho Chi Minh Trail — the secret supply route used by North Vietnam. This year also marks the 30-year anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the United States. In 2023, Vietnam upgraded its relations with the U.S. to that of a comprehensive strategic partner, the highest diplomatic status it gives to any country and the same level of relations as China and Russia. There are new signs of strain in the relationship with Washington, however, with President Trump's imposition of heavy tariffs and the cancellation of much foreign aid, which has affected war remediation efforts in Vietnam. Vietnamese officials say the relationship with the U.S. is anchored in American efforts to address war legacies such as Agent Orange contamination and unexploded ordnance in the countryside that still threaten lives. The future of those projects is now at risk because of the Trump administration's broad cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development. Moreover, the export-dependent country is vulnerable in a global economy made fragile amid Trump's tariff plans. Vietnam was slammed with reciprocal tariffs of 46%, one of the highest. This puts a 'big question mark' on what the U.S. wants to achieve in Asia, said Huong Le-Thu of the International Crisis Group think tank. Previously, close ties with Washington have helped Vietnam balance its relations with its much larger and more powerful neighbor China, she said. Vietnam is one of the countries, along with the Philippines, that has been involved in direct confrontations with China over conflicting maritime claims in the South China Sea. Focus on economic and not strategic competition may mean that Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia become less important for the United States. 'It really will be shaping up [on] how the new administration sees the strategic picture in the Indo-Pacific and where countries like Vietnam would fit in,' she said. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce on Tuesday refused to comment on reports that the Trump administration had discouraged diplomats from attending anniversary events. 'I'm not going to discuss what has been suggested or not suggested,' she said. The Embassy in Hanoi said U.S. consul general in Ho Chi Minh City Susan Burns had attended the event. U.S. Ambassador Marc E. Knapper didn't attend. About 13,000 people, including troops, militias, veterans and local citizens took part in the parade. The route followed the main boulevard leading to the Independence Palace before branching into city streets and passed the U.S. Consulate. A video of Chinese troops singing the iconic song 'As If Uncle Ho Were With Us on Victory Day' during a rehearsal was shared widely on social media. Chinese leader Xi Jinping had visited Vietnam earlier in the month in a bid to present his country as a force for stability in contrast with Trump and the United States. Ghosal writes for the Associated Press. Hau Dinh in Ho Chi Minh City and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
Toronto Sun
30-04-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
Vietnam celebrates 50 years since war's end with focus on peace and unity
Published Apr 30, 2025 • 5 minute read Chinese soldiers participate in a parade during the celebration for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo by Richard Vogel / AP HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam on Wednesday celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the war with the United States and the formation of its modern nation with a military parade and a focus on a peaceful future. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975 marked the end of a Vietnam divided into the communist North and U.S.-allied South, and the country's top official told crowds the past decades had led to ever increasing unity. 'All the Vietnamese are the descendants of Vietnam. They have the rights to live and work, to have freedom to pursue happiness and love in this country,' said To Lam, the Vietnam Communist Party's general secretary. 'In a spirit of closing the past, respecting differences, aiming for the future, the whole party, the people and the army vow to make Vietnam become a country of peace, unity, prosperity and development,' he added. Thousands camped overnight on the streets of the former South Vietnamese capital, which was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after it fell to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops, to get the best vantage point for the parade. Many lingered on the streets later in the afternoon and had picnics while waiting for drone and fireworks shows scheduled for the evening. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The red and yellow of Vietnam's national flag was everywhere in the city — fluttering from buildings, painted on the faces of eager teenagers and on the T-shirts of those who had traveled to the city from all over the country. 'Now it's time for peace,' said spectator Nguyen Thi Hue, a city resident. 'Peace is the dream that everyone in the world wants.' One float carried the mythical Lac bird, Vietnam's emblem, another a portrait of Ho Chi Minh. Chinese, Laotian and Cambodian troops marched behind Vietnamese army formations, including some wearing uniforms similar to what was worn by northern Vietnamese troops during the war. Helicopters carrying the national flag and jets flew over the parade near Independence Palace, where a North Vietnamese tank smashed through the gates on the final day of the war. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And all the while, the crowds soaked it in. They had gathered outside the barricades and at some street corners where giant screens had been set up. Those at home huddled over their television sets. Phones raised and eyes wide, they waved and cheered at the marching soldiers. Sitting next to Vietnam's leader were Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen and Laotian Communist Party General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith. To Lam said beyond a victory over the U.S. and South Vietnam, the fall of Saigon was a 'glorious landmark' that ended a 30-year fight for independence that began with the fight to oust French colonial troops. He said Vietnam owes its position in the world today to support from the Soviet Union, China and solidarity from Laos and Cambodia, as well as 'progressive' people all over the world including the U.S., he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The emphasis on reconciliation and not, like previous years, on military victory reflected how Vietnam was approaching the changing tides of the global economy and geopolitics today, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore's ISEAS_Yusof Ishak Institute. He added that the Vietnam War remains central to how the Communist Party framed its legitimacy, not just as a military triumph but also as a symbol of national unity. But To Lam's comments underlined that the reconciliation remains unfinished. 'The war still defines Vietnam's unity, and its unresolved divides,' Giang said. For Pham Ngoc Son, a veteran who fought for the communists, today there is 'only space for peace and friendship' between the U.S. and Vietnam. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The war is over a long time ago,' said the 69-year-old who, during the war, served as an army truck driver bringing troops and supplies from the north to the south along the Ho Chi Minh trail _ the secret supply route used by North Vietnam. Passage of time has led to improved relations with U.S. This year also marks the 30-year anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the U.S. In 2023, Vietnam upgraded its relations with the U.S. to that of a comprehensive strategic partner, the highest diplomatic status it gives to any country and the same level of relations as China and Russia. There are new signs of strain in the relationship with Washington, however, with President Donald Trump's imposition of heavy tariffs and the cancellation of much foreign aid, which has affected war remediation efforts in Vietnam. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vietnamese officials say the relationship with the U.S. is anchored in American efforts to address war legacies such as Agent Orange contamination and unexploded ordnance in the countryside that still threaten lives. The future of those projects is now at risk because of the Trump administration's broad cuts to USAID. Moreover, the export-dependent country is vulnerable in a global economy made fragile amid Trump's tariff plans. Vietnam was slammed with reciprocal tariffs of 46%, one of the highest. This puts a 'big question mark' on what the U.S. wants to achieve in Asia, said Huong Le-Thu of the International Crisis Group think tank. Previously, close ties with Washington have helped Vietnam balance its relations with its much larger and more powerful neighbor China, she said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vietnam is one of the countries, along with the Philippines, that has been involved in direct confrontations with China over conflicting maritime claims in the South China Sea. Focus on economic and not strategic competition may mean that Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia become less important for the U.S. 'It really will be shaping up (on) how the new administration sees the strategic picture in the Indo-Pacific and where countries like Vietnam would fit in,' she said. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce on Tuesday refused to comment on reports that the Trump administration had discouraged diplomats from attending anniversary events. 'I'm not going to discuss what has been suggested or not suggested,' she said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Embassy in Hanoi said U.S. consul general in Ho Chi Minh City Susan Burns had attended the event. U.S. ambassador Marc E. Knapper didn't attend. Who took part in the parade? About 13,000 people, including troops, militias, veterans and local citizens took part in the parade. The route followed the main boulevard leading to the Independence Palace before branching into city streets and passed the U.S. Consulate. A video of Chinese troops singing the iconic song 'As If Uncle Ho Were With Us on Victory Day' during a rehearsal was shared widely on social media. Chinese leader Xi Jinping had visited Vietnam earlier in the month in a bid to present the country as a force for stability in contrast with Trump.
Irish Examiner
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Vietnam celebrates 50 years since war's end with focus on peace and unity
Vietnam has celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the war with the United States and the formation of its modern nation with a military parade and a focus on a peaceful future. The fall of Saigon on April 30 1975 marked the end of a Vietnam divided into the communist North and US-allied South, and the country's top official told crowds the past decades had led to ever increasing unity. 'All the Vietnamese are the descendants of Vietnam. They have the rights to live and work, to have freedom, to pursue happiness and love in this country,' said To Lam, the Vietnam Communist Party's general secretary. Vietnam Communist Party general secretary To Lam delivers his speech during the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City (Achmad Ibrahim/AP) 'In a spirit of closing the past, respecting differences, aiming for the future, the whole party, the people and the army vow to make Vietnam become a country of peace, unity, prosperity and development,' he added. Thousands camped overnight on the streets of the former South Vietnamese capital, which was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after it fell to North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops, to get the best vantage point for the parade. Many lingered on the streets later in the afternoon and ate picnics while waiting for drone and fireworks shows scheduled for the evening. 'Now it's time for peace,' said spectator Nguyen Thi Hue, a city resident. 'Peace is the dream that everyone in the world wants.' One float carried the Lac bird, Vietnam's emblem, another a portrait of Ho Chi Minh. Chinese, Laotian and Cambodian troops marched behind Vietnamese army formations, including some wearing uniforms similar to those worn by northern Vietnamese troops during the war. Helicopters carrying the national flag and jets flew over the parade near Independence Palace, where a North Vietnamese tank smashed through the gates on the final day of the war. Vietnamese participants gather prior to a parade during the 50th anniversary celebration of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City (Richard Vogel/AP) Sitting next to Vietnam's leader were Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen and Laotian Communist Party general secretary Thongloun Sisoulith. To Lam said beyond a victory over the US and South Vietnam, the fall of Saigon was a 'glorious landmark' that ended a 30-year fight for independence that began with the fight to oust French colonial troops. He said Vietnam owes its position in the world today to support from the Soviet Union, China and solidarity from Laos and Cambodia, as well as 'progressive' people all over the world including the US, he said. The emphasis on reconciliation and not, like previous years, on military victory reflected how Vietnam was approaching the changing tides of the global economy and geopolitics today, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore's ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. He added that the Vietnam War remains central to how the Communist Party framed its legitimacy, not just as a military triumph but also as a symbol of national unity. But To Lam's comments underlined that the reconciliation remains unfinished. 'The war still defines Vietnam's unity, and its unresolved divides,' Mr Giang said. For Pham Ngoc Son, a veteran who fought for the communists, today there is 'only space for peace and friendship' between the US and Vietnam. Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City (Hau Dinh/AP) 'The war is over a long time ago,' said the 69-year-old who, during the war, served as an army truck driver bringing troops and supplies from the north to the south along the Ho Chi Minh trail – the secret supply route used by North Vietnam. This year also marks the 30-year anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the US. In 2023, Vietnam upgraded its relations with the US to that of a comprehensive strategic partner, the highest diplomatic status it gives to any country and the same level of relations as China and Russia. There are new signs of strain in the relationship with Washington, however, with President Donald Trump's imposition of heavy tariffs and the cancellation of much foreign aid, which has affected war remediation efforts in Vietnam. Vietnamese officials say the relationship with the US is anchored in American efforts to address war legacies such as Agent Orange contamination and unexploded ordnance in the countryside that still threaten lives. The future of those projects is now at risk because of the Trump administration's broad cuts to USAID. Moreover, the export-dependent country is vulnerable in a global economy made fragile amid Mr Trump's tariff plans. Vietnam was hit with reciprocal tariffs of 46%, one of the highest. Vietnamese troops march during a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City (Hau Dinh/AP) This puts a 'big question mark' on what the US wants to achieve in Asia, said Huong Le-Thu, of the International Crisis Group think tank. Previously, close ties with Washington have helped Vietnam balance its relations with its much larger and more powerful neighbour China, she said. Vietnam is one of the countries, along with the Philippines, that has been involved in direct confrontations with China over conflicting maritime claims in the South China Sea. Focus on economic and not strategic competition may mean that Vietnam and other countries in South East Asia become less important for the US. 'It really will be shaping up (on) how the new administration sees the strategic picture in the Indo-Pacific and where countries like Vietnam would fit in,' she said. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce on Tuesday refused to comment on reports that the Trump administration had discouraged diplomats from attending anniversary events. 'I'm not going to discuss what has been suggested or not suggested,' she said. The embassy in Hanoi said US consul general in Ho Chi Minh City Susan Burns had attended the event. Vietnamese dancers perform during a parade celebrating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in Ho Chi Minh City (Achmad Ibrahim/AP) US ambassador Marc E Knapper did not attend. About 13,000 people, including troops, militias, veterans and local citizens took part in the parade. The route followed the main boulevard leading to the Independence Palace before branching into city streets and also passed the US consulate. A video of Chinese troops singing the famous song As If Uncle Ho Were With Us On Victory Day during a rehearsal was shared widely on social media. Chinese leader Xi Jinping had visited Vietnam earlier in the month in a bid to present the country as a force for stability in contrast with Mr Trump.
