Collins Chong Yew Keat, an analyst on foreign, security, and strategic affairs at University of Malaya (UM), held that amid a world undergoing rapid transformation marked by complex and unpredictable changes, Viet Nam has emerged as a model of stability and flexible adaptability.
Commenting on Viet Nam’s stature in the new phase, he noted that Viet Nam is now regarded as one of the most disciplined and credible balancers within ASEAN, particularly at a time when the bloc is witnessing divergent approaches toward major powers. The consistency in policy orientation, combined with strategic restraint and strong institutional cohesion, has enabled Viet Nam to forge a distinct and influential diplomatic identity on the international stage.
The Malaysian expert emphasised that the foundation of this solid position lies in a strategy that allows Viet Nam to expand its strategic space without becoming dependent on any single centre of power. Over the years, Viet Nam has deepened relations with all major poles while firmly maintaining autonomy in key decision-making. The upgrading of relations with the United States, along with other mid-sized and major partners, serves as clear evidence of Viet Nam’s capacity to engage deeply in global processes while preserving the necessary strategic balance.
From a regional perspective, Collins affirmed that Viet Nam plays a critical role in mitigating the disruptive impacts of great-power competition on ASEAN, while contributing to strategic stability by embedding itself deeply within global production networks and supply chains.
He further stressed that in regional issues regarding the East Sea, Mekong subregional cooperation, and Myanmar, Viet Nam’s position following the 14th National Congress is expected to continue demonstrating selective proactiveness and close alignment with multilateral institutions. In the East Sea, Viet Nam has consistently been among ASEAN’s most steadfast members in upholding international law, sovereignty, and regional stability based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), without escalating tensions.
Regarding Mekong cooperation, Viet Nam is shifting toward a system-level coordinating role, linking water security, food security, and climate change adaptation. This reflects a more integrated and comprehensive security mindset among Viet Nam’s leadership in the new term, moving beyond narrow military-centric approaches. Even on the Myanmar issue, Viet Nam’s cautious and pragmatic approach - prioritising ASEAN unity - demonstrates a strategic vision aimed at safeguarding the bloc’s collective leverage.
Economically, Viet Nam’s role following the 14th National Congress is expected to serve as an “anchor” for the region’s next development phase under the ASEAN Vision 2045. Collins pointed out that neighbouring countries such as Malaysia view Viet Nam not only as a fast-growing economy, but also as a stable force amid intense geopolitical competition. Viet Nam is anticipated to become a connectivity-driven economy, helping ASEAN integrate more deeply into global trade flows and supply chains. Notably, Viet Nam’s success in transitioning toward a development model based on productivity, human capital, and institutional strength, rather than merely headline growth figures, will have strong spillover effects on the overall credibility of the ASEAN Community.
One particularly notable aspect of Viet Nam’s future position is its role as a geopolitical hinge between the Asian mainland and Southeast Asia’s maritime space, directly connected to the East Sea and the Pacific Ocean. With its unique geographic location, Viet Nam is seen as a gateway for connectivity corridors from Central and South Asia, via the Mekong subregion, to the region’s strategic maritime routes.
According to Collins, as global supply chains accelerate diversification and resilience-building, Viet Nam’s industrial corridors and logistics infrastructure are emerging as strategic nodes in cross-regional production networks. In the longer term, as Arctic shipping routes gradually take shape, Viet Nam’s gateway position to the East Sea is likely to be further reinforced, transforming its seaports and industrial corridors into key transshipment hubs linking Europe and Central Asia with the Indo-Pacific.
Viet Nam’s strategic value following the 14th National Congress has far surpassed conventional indicators of production or GDP growth. Collins assessed that Viet Nam’s core value lies in its potential to become a new “central connectivity node” in global trade and geopolitics. The presence of a resilient, innovative, and responsible Viet Nam not only ensures national prosperity but also strengthens ASEAN’s legitimacy and relevance in an era of fragmentation and power reconfiguration. This is the historic role Viet Nam is assuming - contributing to a peaceful, stable, and deeply connected region in the decades ahead.
