The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Emergence of Vietnam as a Middle Power

• Published in: Journal of current Southeast Asian affairs Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 303 - 325
• Main Authors: Dinh Tinh, Le, Thu Ngan, Vu Thi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-08-2022; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: COVID-19; Pandemics; Political power; COVID-19; proactive and creative diplomacy; nation-branding; emerging middle power; Vietnam; middle-power theory
• ISSN: 1868-1034; 1868-4882
• DOI: 10.1177/18681034211057569

Limited capability and political will have caused the great powers to fail to demonstrate their global leadership in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created greater room to manoeuvre for other countries to influence international affairs. Preliminary achievements in the fight against the COVID-19 crisis have buttressed the rising global status of small and medium-sized states, including Vietnam. Although Vietnam has recently been recognised as an emerging middle power, scepticism looms regarding whether this higher international status is beyond its capacity. We argue that the pandemic may act as a catalyst for Vietnam to further elevate its strategic role as a middle power on the international stage in the medium and long term.