China’s increasingly assertive posture in the South China Sea has become one of the most pressing geopolitical challenges of our time. At the heart of this dispute lies Vietnam, a nation with centuries of resistance against northern domination, now facing Beijing’s aggressive maritime expansion. The deterioration of relations between China and Vietnam is not simply a bilateral quarrel, it is a harbinger of instability across Southeast Asia, with global implications for freedom of navigation, international law, and regional security.
Vietnam’s historical struggle against Chinese hegemony is deeply rooted in its national identity. From ancient dynasties to modern conflicts, Vietnam has consistently resisted attempts at domination. The 1974 Battle of the Paracels and the 1988 Johnson Reef Skirmish remain stark reminders of China’s willingness to use military force to seize territory. These clashes not only redrew the map but also hardened Vietnam’s resolve to defend its sovereignty. Yet, Vietnam has also pursued “bamboo diplomacy,” balancing confrontation with accommodation, strengthening ties with the United States and ASEAN to counterbalance China’s naval superiority.
Vietnam’s legal claims to the Paracel and Spratly Islands are supported by centuries of historical evidence. Records from the 15th century onward describe exploration, taxation, and administration of these islands. The 1816 flag-raising ceremony by Emperor Gia Longis a cornerstone of Vietnam’s legal argument, bolstered by European maps identifying the islands as Vietnamese territory. During the French colonial era, France consolidated Vietnam’s claim by formally annexing the islands in the 1930s, further strengthening Hanoi’s legal position under international law. These claims are not merely symbolic, they represent Vietnam’s assertion of sovereignty under internationally recognized principles.
China, however, has pursued an expansive claim through its infamous nine-dash line, which encompasses nearly the entire South China Sea. This sweeping assertion directly overlaps with Vietnam’s territory and has been rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016, which ruled that China’s claims had no basis in international law. Despite this, Beijing has intensified its island-building campaigns, militarized artificial reefs, and deployed coast guard vessels to enforce its presence. These actions have eroded Vietnam’s sovereignty and undermined ASEAN’s attempts to negotiate a binding Code of Conduct. Vietnam has responded by fortifying its own holdings in the Spratlys, but the imbalance of power remains stark.
The latest developments in 2025–2026 highlight the growing volatility of the dispute. China has expanded coast guard deployments and increased naval patrols in disputed waters, often harassing Vietnamese fishing vessels. Vietnam, in turn, has strengthened infrastructure on its Spratly holdings, including airstrips and surveillance systems, signalling its determination to resist further encroachment. Meanwhile, the United States has deepened military cooperation with the Philippines, prompting reciprocal Chinese naval deployments. ASEAN–China negotiations on a Code of Conduct remain stalled, with irreconcilable differences preventing meaningful progress. These developments underscore that the dispute is not merely bilateral but part of a wider contest involving U.S.–China rivalry and regional security.
The world must be cautious of China’s assertive policies. Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea are not isolated they represent a broader strategy of coercion and expansion. If unchecked, this approach could destabilize the entire Southeast Asian region, embolden China to challenge international maritime law, and weaken global norms of sovereignty. Vietnam’s plight is emblematic of the dangers faced by smaller nations when confronted by a rising hegemon. The South China Sea is not just a regional dispute, it is a global security concern that affects trade routes, energy supplies, and the credibility of international law.
Vietnam’s struggle against Chinese hegemony is both a national defence of sovereignty and a frontline battle for international law. The deterioration of relations between the two countries signals a dangerous trajectory: one where China’s ambitions could fracture Southeast Asia’s fragile stability. The global community must remain vigilant, support diplomatic solutions, and resist the normalization of coercive maritime expansion. Failure to act decisively risks legitimizing China’s aggressive tactics and undermining the rules-based international order.
In conclusion, Vietnam’s sovereignty is under siege, and the world cannot afford to remain passive. The South China Sea dispute is not a distant quarrel, it is a test of whether international law and norms can withstand the pressure of a rising power determined to reshape the global order. The stakes are high, not only for Vietnam but for every nation that values freedom of navigation and the principles of sovereignty. The time has come for the international community to stand firm against China’s maritime ambitions and ensure that the South China Sea remains a shared space governed by law, not coercion.
Sun Lee is a pseudonym for a writer who covers Asia and geopolitical affairs.
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