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Before his visit to China, Tô Lâm affirmed that Việt Nam is entering a new phase of development, making the need to "effectively manage differences" with Beijing a "strategic priority."

Following current affairs: Ahead of his diplomatic trip spanning April 14 to April 17, Tô Lâm published a policy essay titled “Promoting the Tradition of Việt Nam–China Friendship and Elevating Strategic Connectivity in a New Development Phase.”

In the text, he stated that Việt Nam is entering a “new stage of development with strong will and great aspirations.” He also argued that maintaining a “peaceful environment” with China is essential for “rapid and sustainable growth.”

Tô Lâm defined relations with China as a “strategic priority.” This requires Việt Nam to “continue preserving a peaceful environment,” ensure “stability,” “effectively manage differences,” and “properly handle remaining issues.” He called for addressing these issues through “dialogue, restraint, and mutual respect” while honoring the “legitimate interests of each side.”

What remains unclear: During an April 14 meeting with Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (the Chinese equivalent of the Fatherland Front), Tô Lâm proposed that both nations “jointly work to manage and properly handle maritime differences.” Despite this, it remains entirely unclear how high the South China Sea will actually rank on his official agenda.

Context: The South China Sea remains a volatile geopolitical flashpoint. While Việt Nam has historically asserted its sovereignty, the state and media have grown increasingly silent regarding China’s recent maneuvers.

For instance, when China built a commercial center on Phú Lâm island—the largest feature in the Hoàng Sa archipelago—and expanded artificial structures in early 2026, the Vietnamese government and state media remained largely muted.

Similarly, when Chinese forces repeatedly detained, assaulted, and harassed Vietnamese fishermen near the Paracel Islands in 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued criticisms but executed no visible countermeasures.

China has occupied Phú Lâm Island—the largest of the Paracels— since 1956, and since 2012, it has hosted the administrative center of Sansha City. Yet, since the tenure of former Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, Vietnamese leaders have ceased publicly attending or speaking at commemorations for the 1974 Battle of the Paracels or the 1988 Johnson South Reef skirmish.

The Vietnamese government has not demonstrated strong physical opposition to Chinese encroachment since 2014, when China unlawfully deployed the Haiyang Shiyou 981 oil rig near Triton Island within Việt Nam’s exclusive economic zone.

Hoàng Nam wrote this article in Vietnamese and published it in Luật Khoa Magazine on April 15, 2026. The Vietnamese Magazine has the copyrights of the English translation.

South China Sea Sidelined? Tô Lâm Prioritizes Stability During China Visit

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