This study analyzes cooperation and constraints in relations between Vietnam and China since 2013 in the context of China's strategic adjustments and the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The subject of the study includes the main directions, mechanisms, forms and results of cooperation, as well as the limitations and challenges in the relations between Vietnam and China, especially in the context of China's implementation of the OBOR initiative and the adjustment of its regional strategy. The aim of the study is to identify the main directions of bilateral cooperation after 2013: political and diplomatic interaction, economic cooperation and trade, investment and infrastructure, cultural and educational exchanges, social contacts, as well as multilateral cooperation. At the same time, constraints and contradictions are analyzed, including regional security issues, the situation in the South China Sea, economic asymmetry in trade and investment, dependence on supply chains, and the risks associated with investment and infrastructure projects. The research's methodological framework is based on the theory of political realism in international relations, which emphasizes the importance of national interests, security issues, and the balance of power in the context of regional strategic competition after 2013. Political, historical-logical, and comparative analyses are used, along with a summary of official documents, statistical data, and bilateral and multilateral agreements. The novelty of this work lies in its comprehensive and up-to-date examination of Vietnam-China relations after 2013, identifying the main directions of cooperation and structural constraints – including security, the situation in the South China Sea, economic asymmetry, and risks related to infrastructure projects. The results provide a basis for formulating a flexible foreign policy strategy for Vietnam, enabling the country to seize opportunities for cooperation, protect national interests, and ensure regional stability. The findings indicate that after 2013, Vietnam-China relations combined cooperation with constraints. The countries maintain political and diplomatic contacts through high-level delegations, regular dialogues, and multilateral mechanisms, while also developing economic and trade cooperation, with China remaining the main trading partner and source of infrastructure investment. Structural constraints persist: security issues, the situation in the South China Sea, trade deficits, dependence on supply chains, economic imbalances, and infrastructure project risks raise concerns about strategic trust and potential pressure on Vietnam’s foreign policy. In this regard, Vietnam must adopt a flexible and cautious approach, rationally utilize opportunities for cooperation, and protect national interests, thereby ensuring relative stability and sustainable regional development.
Hoang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.