Vol 9, No 2 (2025)

Foreign policy and inward political processes

Between two powers: Vietnam and the strategic balancing of Russia and China in the 21st century

Ly T.V., Hoang A.T.

Abstract

In the context of intensifying competition for influence among major powers, especially between Russia and China, Vietnam has emerged as a key geopolitical actor in the Asia Pacific region in the early 21st century, gaining strategic importance in both countries’ policies. This study explores whether Vietnam, building on its Cold War experience, can continue to effectively balance relations with Russia and China. Employing a historical–political approach combined with international relations analysis grounded in realism and the balance of power theory, the paper examines Vietnam’s foreign policy adjustments in response to both cooperative and competitive dynamics in Russia – China relations.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):6-17
pages 6-17 views

The core values of Vietnamese political culture

Nguyen D.Q.

Abstract

The present paper covers the socio-historical backdrop of the influence of basic political orientations, patriotism, national unity, human politics, and foreign politics on Vietnam’s political culture throughout its history, extending right to the present. A historical and analytical view examines theoretical frameworks and real-life examples of these values influencing political behaviour. Evidence has shown that these values produced national unity, led to the making of policies, and structured Vietnam's diplomatic approach, which assisted in Vietnamese independence and social-political stability.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):18-31
pages 18-31 views

Socio-economic development

Transformation of Vietnam’s foreign economic relations with leading partners in 2021-2024

Voronova Т.A., Novikova E.S., Nguyen H.P.

Abstract

The article examines the development of trade and economic relations between Vietnam and 12 leading partners – China, Russia, India, South Korea, the USA, Japan, Australia, France, Malaysia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Singapore. The article analyzes the dynamics of trade turnover with each individual country, including export and import of products, supply structure, investment volume and number of investment projects, as well as the number of Vietnamese labor migrants and foreign students in partner countries. Particular attention is paid to identifying the key advantages of developing a comprehensive strategic partnership, assessing the possibilities of its adaptation and application in various national economies in the context of a globalized, but increasingly fragmented world system.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):32-47
pages 32-47 views

The trade in agricultural products between Vietnam and Cambodia: growth of dependence or mutual benefit?

Burova E.S.

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the dynamics and structure of agricultural trade between Vietnam and Cambodia, which has become an important element of economic interaction between the two countries over the past decades. Vietnam, as the largest importer of Cambodian agricultural products, plays a key role in shaping the demand and development directions of Cambodia's agriculture. The focus is on commodity groups such as rubber, cashews, and rice, which constitute a significant share of bilateral trade. It is noted that Cambodia, by supplying raw materials to Vietnam, loses a substantial part of the added value, which enhances its dependence on the Vietnamese market. At the same time, Vietnam, by using Cambodian raw materials for processing and export, strengthens its position in the global market. It is emphasized that despite the mutually beneficial nature of cooperation, Cambodia risks becoming a raw material appendage of Vietnam, which makes its economy vulnerable to changes in Vietnamese agricultural policy. The author concludes that the further development of agricultural cooperation between the two countries requires a balance between Vietnam's interests and the necessity of strengthening processing capacities in Cambodia to reduce dependence on raw material exports.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):48-64
pages 48-64 views

Policies for Vietnam to overcome the middle-income trap in the era of economic rise

Nguyen N.S.

Abstract

Since initiating market reforms, Vietnam has experienced impressive growth, elevating it to middle-income country status. However, following the 2009 global financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic, the pace of Vietnam’s economic expansion has slowed. There are growing concerns that Vietnam may be at risk of falling into the middle-income trap, including: i) a deceleration in growth and an increasing risk of falling behind; ii) low labor productivity, which is increasingly lagging behind other nations; iii) low Total Factor Productivity (TFP); iv) inefficient use of capital; and v) slow progress in economic restructuring. To avoid the middle-income trap, Vietnam must adopt policies that promote new drivers of growth required in the era of nation’s rise in parallel with the digital era, the era of innovation and creativity. This article explores the general concept of the middle-income trap, examines the specific challenges Vietnam faces, and proposes strategies to help the country overcome current obstacles.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):65-77
pages 65-77 views

Changes of social values in rural Vietnam

Phan T.L.

Abstract

Transitional developing countries are currently grappling with simultaneous transformations in their economic, social, and political spheres. One approach to understanding potential shifts in social values is to explore how perceptions of economic success (PES) vary in relation to social status and affiliations. This study investigates changes in PES across various socio-political groups and networks in rural Vietnam. The analysis draws on panel data from 2,117 rural households collected through the Vietnam Access to Resources Household Survey (VARHS) in 2012 and 2014. Disaggregated by socio-political groups/networks, results show that engaging in power or connection with power tends to stipulate individuals’ endeavors rather than social networks in attaining economic success. In addition, membership in mass organizations such as the Women’s Union, the Farmers’ Union, or the Youth Union does not appear to substitute for political connections or broader social ties, but instead correlates with a greater emphasis on hard work, often in the absence of significant work experience. These results contribute to the limited body of literature on the transformation of social values in transitional rural societies and offer insights into how perceptions of economic success differ among socio-political groups and networks.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):78-90
pages 78-90 views

History, archeology, religion, culture

“Continuation of the complete annals of Đai Viet” and its difficult fate

Fedorin A.L.

Abstract

The text of the fundamental source on the history of ancient and medieval Vietnam that we have – “The Complete Annals of Dai Viet” – covers the events in this country from ancient times to 1675. Meanwhile, the canonical text of this chronicle, distributed in the form of woodcuts at the end of the 18th century, brought this description up to 1740. However, as a result of significant editing of its final part, carried out for political reasons under the first emperors of the Nguyen dynasty (1802–1945), it was radically shortened, and the description of the last 65 years (1676–1740) was completely excluded from it. At the same time, not a single complete xylograph of the original text of the chronicle, as it was formed in the 18th century, has survived to this day. The questions of how and why this happened, and how the original version of the source can be at least partially restored, are the subject of this article.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):91-102
pages 91-102 views

Paleolithic Hoabinhian complex of Mang Chieng cave in Northern Vietnam

Kandyba A.V.

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of the Mang Chieng cave, the materials of which date back to the late stages of the Paleolithic of Vietnam. The Paleolithic of Vietnam contains a large number of Pleistocene sites, but the lack of reliable geochronology meant that the possibilities of reconstructing the dynamics of the development of ancient human populations using only traditional methods (typology of artifacts, analysis of the species composition of fauna and flora) are severely limited due to the specific nature of the natural environment and the characteristics of sedimentation of this region. This article examines in detail the archaeological collections, primarily the tool component of the Hoabinhian. The morphological features of stone products are highlighted, the presence of a tool component is noted, including sumatralites, stone axes, short axes, characteristic of the cultural and chronological era of Hoabinhian. The discovered faunal composition indicates the active hunting activity of the inhabitants of the Mang Chieng cave. According to the results of micromorphological and stratigraphic studies, sedimentation of the lower Hoabinhian layer occurred in a humid climate, and the upper two in drier natural environments. Based on absolute dating data, the manifestation of the Hoabinhian in Mang Chieng Cave can be dated to the period of 18 thousand years ago Comprehensive studies of cave complexes in Northern Vietnam in the last decade confirm the uniqueness of this Hoabinhian phenomenon as an example of relatively stable human adaptation to tropical latitudes at the end of the Pleistocene and the beginning of the Holocene.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):103-119
pages 103-119 views

The local catholic orders in Vietnam: The Case of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Phat Diem

Nguyen T.N.

Abstract

This article seeks to articulate various facets of the order Lovers of the Holy Cross of Phat Diem Diocese (Dòng Mến Thánh Giá Phát Diệm), one of the local and famous Catholic religious orders in Vietnam. After presenting its history, the article points out characteristics of the organizational structure, monastic life, and social activities of this religious order.

The article is focused on the motherhouse of Lưu Phương community which the author researched during a field trip to in June 2020. Drawing on research methods, including document analysis and participant observation as a part of field studies, this research aims to take a further step in investigating the current situation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross of Phat Diem in Vietnam and provides a further understanding of such a local form of religious order within the Catholic Church in the Vietnamese context.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):120-128
pages 120-128 views

The evolution and impact of popular culture in contemporary Vietnam

Le H.K., Le T.T., Tran X.H.

Abstract

Popular culture is a dynamic expression of collective identity in modern society, reflecting the interplay between tradition and modern influences. This research analyzes the development of popular culture in Vietnam within the context of globalization, digital transformation, and socioeconomic development. Through systematic analysis of cultural industries and international integration processes, the study shows how popular culture has shifted from a peripheral position to become a central driving force in national development, especially after the Doi Moi reforms in 1986. Results indicate that Vietnam’s cultural policies need to balance preserving authenticity while adopting positive international influences, contributing to understanding cultural evolution in transitional economies.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):129-140
pages 129-140 views

Philology

Literary monument of the 18th century «Chronicle of the Journey to the Royal City» by Le Huu Trac

Tskhe K.V.

Abstract

The article presents a monument of Vietnamese literature of the 18th century, “Chronicle of the Journey to the Royal City”, written by a prominent progenitor of the Vietnamese traditional medicine, a man of letters Le Huu Trac alias Hai Thuong Lan Ong. The author's biography is and the work are analyzed within the context of the culture of East Asian countries, as well as the history of Vietnam during that period, characterized by political and social upheavals and a crisis of Confucianism. The study relies on existing translations of the monument into modern Vietnamese and Nguyen Tran Huan’s study in French.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):141-153
pages 141-153 views

Women’s breast symbols in Vietnamese folk literature

Dang Q.D.

Abstract

This article explores the symbolic representations of women’s breasts in Vietnamese folk literature through a multidisciplinary approach combining literary analysis, cultural studies, and gender perspectives. Although breast imagery is relatively scarce in Vietnamese traditions, it conveys rich and layered meanings. The paper categorizes these symbols into three main groups: the sacred breast, the erotic breast, and the aesthetic breast. These appear respectively in myths, jokes, and beauty ideals – associated with motherhood, desire, and feminine charm. Drawing on sources such as folk songs, proverbs, and legends, the study shows that breast symbolism reflects both reverence and ambivalence toward the female body. It offers insight into Vietnamese cultural values and gender perceptions as expressed in oral literature.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):154-165
pages 154-165 views

Classifiers in the Vietnamese language: functions and peculiarities of use

Britov I.V.

Abstract

The article is devoted to such an unusual for the Russian language linguistic category as a classifier, questions about the nature, essence and role of which cause discussions both among Vietnamese linguists and Russian scholars dealing with the Vietnamese language. Taking into account the grammatical and semantic features of classifiers in the Vietnamese language, the author has made an attempt to systematize their functions. The usage of classifiers in a sentence is also considered. It is concluded that the adequate use of the classifier is not only a linguistic issue, but also a cultural and psychological one, since it is related to the speaker’s view of the world around. A table is provided in which classifiers are collected with their compatibility with different noun groups.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):166-178
pages 166-178 views

Scientific life

Vietnamese studies in Russia: a reliable input to the national Orientalism

Mazyrin V.M.

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of the development of a specific and profile for the journal branch of Oriental studies in the USSR and modern Russia. The chronology of this branch formation, its centers, leaders and broad diversity of disciplines are revealed as well as importance and number of publications on Vietnam. Practical forms of cooperation between universities and research institutions from both sides are highlighted, not only in the field of social sciences, but also in the natural sciences, thus expanding the state of affairs. The author evaluates the achievements and problems of the industry, and provides a comparison of Russian realities with the organization and level of research on Vietnam by other foreign schools.

The features and results of the monograph for the first time giving a detailed description of this branch evolution are also revealed. Under promotion of coming book by the Center of Vietnam and ASEAN studies in ICCA the author promises to present in it a complete bibliography of titles on Vietnam that Russian scholars published over almost 100 years, together with necessary indexes and popular applications.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):179-190
pages 179-190 views

Research of digital transformation processes by universities of Russia and Vietnam

Deryuzhenko I.V.

Abstract

An overview of the international round table “International Politics in the Digital Era: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Implications for Vietnam and Russia” is given. At the event, researchers from Russia and Vietnam examined the processes of global transformation in the digital era, provided an analysis of how innovations and technologies in this area are changing global trends and what impact they have on Russia and Vietnam, including their modern relations and prospects for their development.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):191-195
pages 191-195 views

Dissertations Defense

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):196-200
pages 196-200 views

Official documents

Joint statement on major orientations for Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership

Abstract

The full text of the Joint Statement on Major Orientations for Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership adopted on May 10, 2025 in Moscow, is given.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):201-211
pages 201-211 views

Joint statement on the elevation to a comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand

Abstract

The full text of the Joint Statement on the Elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Thailand adopted on May 16, 2025 in Hanoi, is given.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):212-217
pages 212-217 views

Bookshelf

The First Republic of Vietnam diplomacy (1955-1963) through the lens of Tran Nam Tien analysis

Ha T.H.

Abstract

The review examines “Ngoại giao của chính quyền Sài Gòn (1955-1963)” [Diplomacy of the Saigon Government (1955-1963)] by Tran Nam Tien, a prominent Vietnamese historian, which investigates the formation and evolution of the First Republic of Vietnam’s diplomacy during the presidency of Ngo Dinh Diem amid the Vietnam War. The book comprises three chapters: Chapter 1 lays the historical foundation for national diplomacy, Chapter 2 delves into the establishment of foreign policy, and Chapter 3 focuses on Saigon’s relationships with major international actors. In addition to providing critical insights into the novelty, structure, and content of each chapter, the review highlights significant weaknesses that persist, thereby pointing to ongoing opportunities for further research on RVN diplomacy in the future.

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):218-224
pages 218-224 views

Tribute to the scientist

He heard the pulse of time. In memory of E. V. Kobelev

The Russian Journal of Vietnamese Studies. 2025;9(2):225-227
pages 225-227 views