The Emerging Security Architecture In The Indo-Pacific Region:Vietnam’s Perspective And Its Countermeasure

The evolution of the Indo-Pacific regional security architecture is a recent security phenomenon on the Asian continent.The Indo-Pacific region is at the center of the Asian security framework,largely due to changing power politics and the strategic tilt of major powers from the transatlantic to the Indo-Pacific region.There are geostrategic and geopolitical factors such as the U.S.Indo-Pacific strategy and China’s Belt and Road Initiative that help build an Indo-Pacific regional security architecture.Similarly,nontraditional security factors such as terrorism,human trafficking,piracy,climate change,and international terrorism are also decisive factors behind the construction of the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.Due to the relative decline of the United States and Japan,especially the rise of India and China,the balance of power among major powers has changed,and Vietnam has the opportunity to continue to pursue its strategy of multilateral and diversified international relations,thereby further consolidating its independence,self-reliance,and global integration.On the other hand,the trend of multi-polarization and the increasing strategic competition among major powers also bring many challenges and opportunities to Vietnam’s security and development to strengthen its position in the international community,promote socio-economic development,and enhance its national security capabilities.This thesis employs a qualitative research approach to explain the evolving IndoPacific regional security phenomenon in the region.It provides an in-depth analysis of emerging regional security issues in the region using analytical methods.The method of the semi-structured interview is used in the thesis to deeply analyze the new regional security phenomenon and its impact on Vietnam’s security.Against this background,this thesis uses the four theoretical levels of Barry Buzan’s regional security complex theory to explain the enhanced Indo-Pacific regional security complex in the Indo-Pacific region.It examines the sociocultural,economic,political,and geostrategic components of strengthening the Indo-Pacific regional security architecture.In addition,this article also discusses the limitations of the security architecture in the IndoPacific region,such as religious and ethnic diversity and the lack of macroeconomic mechanisms.This thesis examines the implications of the Indo-Pacific regional security architecture for Vietnam’s security,particularly maritime security.Vietnam has adopted a bottom-up approach to increasing its regionalist processes in the Indo-Pacific region.Additionally,new geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics have increased maritime security concerns for Vietnam in the new Indo-Pacific maritime grand game.Therefore,Hanoi is responding to new regional security phenomena,especially in Southeast Asia,by strengthening its geopolitical and geostrategic position.Based on discussing the security architecture of the Indo-Pacific region and its impact on Vietnam,the thesis argues that the Indo-Pacific region is an ideal region for Vietnam,but it is necessary for Vietnam to ensure its security,especially the maritime security interests around the sea routes in the region.Therefore,Vietnam has maritime security concerns in the emerging Indo-Pacific regional security architecture,leading it to play a constructive role in the Indo-Pacific region while at the same time protecting the national interest.