The 'Same Bed, Different Dreams' of Vietnam and China: How (Mis)Trust Could Make or Break it
TTU-ISR Working Paper 1802; Thanh Tay University (May 2018)
31 Pages Posted: 12 Jun 2018
Date Written: May 26, 2018
Abstract
The relationship between Vietnam and China could be captured in the Chinese expression of “同床异梦”, which means lying on the same bed but having different dreams. The two countries share certain cultural and political similarities but also diverge vastly in their national interests. This paper adds to the extant literature on this topic by analyzing the element of trust/mistrust in their interactions in trade-investment, tourism, and defense-security. The analysis shows how the relationship is increasingly interdependent but is equally fragile due to the lack of trust on both sides. The mistrust or even distrust of Chinese subjects run deep within the Vietnamese mindset, from the skepticism of Chinese investment, Chinese tourists, discrimination against ethnic Chinese, to the caution against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. The paper forecasts that, despite the deep-seated differences and occasional mistrust, going forward, neither side would risk damaging the status quo even when tensions peak.
Keywords: Sino-Vietnamese Relations, Geopolitical Interdependence, Strategic Trust
JEL Classification: F50, F52, P21
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation