Vietnam foreign policy: the rationale of its instruments towards China in solving South China Sea disputes since HD-981 incident in 2014

This study aims at studying foreign policy under theoretical approaches. This paper argues that such an integrated approach of Neorealism and Constructivism, rather than an exclusively one-sided approach, would help to analyze foreign policy more comprehensive. The case of Vietnam’s foreign policy instruments in dealing with China in the HD-981 incident in South China Sea has been chosen because it embraces all aspects of a bilateral relation, including one of the most difficult issues is territorial disputes. The findings suggest that: First, Vietnam relies on diplomacy rather than military power in handling its situation in South China Sea; Second, the nature of Vietnam’s strategy is self-help and balance of power and interest; Third, Vietnam’s instruments aim at finding common identity to complement mutual understanding, strategic trust for cooperation in dealing with China in South China Sea.