Digital Bamboo Diplomacy: Vietnam’s strategic role in the tech geopolitics
Digital bamboo diplomacy aims to position Vietnam as new hub of global technological developments.
The backdrop for the emergence of digital bamboo diplomacy is the deepening of Sino-American techno-decoupling. As tensions rise between the USA and China, many tech companies are seeking to preserve their supply chains by relocating production facilities to other Asian countries, with Vietnam being a primary location. For instance, Google has shifted the production of its latest Pixel smartphones from China to Vietnam. Similarly, microprocessor giants like Qualcomm have opened research and development centres in the country, and Intel has announced a substantial investment of USD 3.3 billion.
Vietnamese diplomacy is crucial in facilitating this digital shift. Traditional bamboo diplomacy, characterised by its flexibility and adaptability, is now infused with a digital edge.
Digital diplomacy featured high during the meeting on 28 November 2024 of newly appointed ambassadors ov Vietnam, which was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Information and Communications. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam called to active participation on businesses in Vietnam’s digital diplomacy.
An importance of digital diplomacy was highlighted in December during the annual meeting of Vietnamese diplomats. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted the vital role of diplomacy in promoting emerging industries such as semiconductors, big data, AI, cloud computing, blockchain technology, cultural industries, and entertainment.
Vietnam’s diplomacy can foster tech priorities through regional initiatives and agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The upcoming UN Cybercrime Convention in 2025, to be signed in Hanoi and named the Hanoi Convention on Cybercrime, is a testament to Vietnam’s growing influence in the digital domain. As Vietnam continues to navigate the complexities of digital diplomacy, it stands poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of technology in Asia.
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The GIP Digital Watch Observatory team, consisting of over 30 digital policy experts from around the world, excels in the fields of research and analysis on digital policy issues. The team is backed by the creative prowess of Creative Lab Diplo and the technical expertise of the Diplo tech team.
