Vietnam Adopts China Governance Model

Vietnam is increasingly adopting China's model of governance, tightening state control, and embracing Chinese technology and regulation. This shift is highlighted by President Tô Lâm's first overseas trip to meet China's leader Xi Jinping, where dozens of cooperation agreements are expected. Vietnam is dropping concerns about Chinese equipment in its 5G network, with FPT Corporation investing in a Chinese-built undersea cable. Hanoi is prioritizing state control in data regulation, mirroring China's centralized data model, and expanding a national electronic identification system with AI camera networks. Economically, Vietnam is advancing a China-style model with subsidies, public investment, and large infrastructure projects, including high-speed rail links with China. The country is also considering a government-backed stock stabilization fund, explicitly modeled on China's. This move, while maintaining a geopolitical balancing act, is seen by some analysts as potentially having a negative impact on Vietnam's security, prosperity, autonomy, and its relations with the United States and the West.