“The recent maritime cooperation renewal between Vietnam and Russia (2026-2030) is deliberately pushing Vietnam to become Southeast Asia’s dominant sea power, propelled by South China Sea pressure, multi-vector defence diversification and a state-mandated blue economy strategy.”
“In August 2025, Vietnam had already created roughly 70% as much artificial island in the Spratlys as China, beginning construction on eight previously untouched features in 2025 and expanding to all 21 of its occupied features, which ensures Hanoi will match or surpass Chinese reclamation. At sea, the Vietnam People’s Navy operates Southeast Asia’s largest submarine fleet– six Russian Project 636 Kilo-class boats armed with 3M-14E Klub cruise missiles, delivered between 2014-2017, alongside four Gepard-class frigates. This move highlights a asymmetric response designed to ensure Beijing does not perceive Vietnam as easy prey.”
“Vietnam moves to legitimize its lawfare to support military hardware. In July 2024, Vietnam filed its third extended continental shelf submission with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, explicitly invoking Article 76 of UNCLOS. Inside ASEAN-China Code of Conduct negotiations, Hanoi has pushed for rules outlawing artificial islands and Air Defence Identification Zones. Vietnam’s coast guard is also expanding, three former US Hamilton-class cutters have been transferred under the Excess Defense Articles programme, while Japan’s JICA ODA loan is delivering six Aso-class patrol vessels, making Vietnam the largest regional operator of Japanese-built large cutters. A legalized maritime militia, expanded under the 2019 Law on Militia and Self-Defence Forces, completes the grey-zone picture.”
“The Russia deal is one example of Vietnam’s deliberate diversification. Vietnam now holds Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with all five UN Security Council permanent members plus Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, Indonesia and others, 14 at the latest of November 2025. Russia supplied roughly 80% of Vietnamese arms import over 1995-2021. Hanoi knows its dependence on Russia is now a liability.”
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2026/06/19/hanoi-is-building-southeast-asias-pre-eminent-sea-power/