As of November 2025, Vietnam has established Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships (CSP) with 14 countries, including all five permanent members of the UN Security Council: the U.S, China, Russia, France, and the U.K. This marks a diplomatic milestone, positioning Vietnam as one of the few middle powers - such as Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Switzerland - that maintain deep ties with global rivals simultaneously.
But behind every handshake lies a question: how much of this network can turn into growth, deals, and confidence for investors who still hesitate?
The pursuit of a stable political environment
Within Vietnam’s diplomatic hierarchy, a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is the highest level, above the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership levels. While Strategic and Comprehensive Partnerships cover selected areas of mutual interest, a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership represents the highest level of trust, broad engagement, and long-term commitment across all major fields, such as politics, economy, national defence, security, culture, education, science and technology, and foreign affairs.
In diplomacy, a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership positions Vietnam as a country pursuing multilateral relations, maintaining ties with global rivals worldwide, and projecting an image of independence and self-reliance while remaining a dependable partner for all nations. For foreign investment, it is a signal of political trust and a stable political environment.
U.S. and global investors expand in Vietnam following CSP
Economically, ever since signing CSPs, Vietnam has seen growing foreign direct investment (FDI) in high-tech sectors from Singapore, South Korea, China which increase industrial capacity, and opportunities in supply chain, renewable energy, infrastructure and digital innovation.
The U.S. is the 11th-largest source of registered FDI in Vietnam. In the Joint Leaders’ Statement, the two countries pledged “to create favorable conditions and facilitate the further opening of markets for each other’s goods and services, support trade and economic policy” Following the CSP, the U.S. goods and services trade with Vietnam rose by 20.5 percent in 2024 - an increase of approximately US$26.4 billion.
The U.S investment in Vietnam has steadily increased, with over 1,300 active projects and total registered capital exceeding $11.8 billion by mid-2024. Leading companies such as Intel, Apple, Boeing, Google, and GE are expanding operations, integrating Vietnam further into global supply chains.
Vietnam is also attracting FDI from the U.S. in high-value sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, and green technology. Plans that could be mentioned are the opening of an A.I center with NVIDIA, virtual reality equipment production in Bac Giang by Meta, and an investment of $1.5 billion by U.S. SpaceX company.
Turning diplomatic promises into real investment
Not only does CSP provide political trust and stability, it also promises high-tech FDI, renewable energy projects, and stronger market access.
According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, FDI inflows into Vietnam in 2024 are increasingly directed toward high-value manufacturing and technology sectors such as semiconductors, AI and digital transformation, accounting for 66.9 % of the total, with many large-scale projects now targeting semiconductors and electronics.
The country’s geographic position, young workforce, and wide-ranging free trade network make it an attractive manufacturing hub.
Yet, with more CSPs on the table, the question remains: can Vietnam translate all these opportunities into tangible growth for the country?
In logistics, Vietnam ranks 43rd in the World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index, and ongoing infrastructure gaps and bureaucratic inefficiencies limit its ability to attract foreign investment and adopt advanced technologies.
Over 2,200 investment projects - worth more than US$235 billion - are delayed due to legal and administrative bottlenecks. Analysts noted that in Vietnam’s current environment, private investment is low in both scale and quality, public investment faces slow disbursement, and foreign direct investment remains limited in advanced technology sectors.
“We are tying our own hands and squandering development opportunities by allowing such vast resources to be wasted” - economist Tran Dinh Thien answered Viet Nam News.
In the end, Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships boost Vietnam’s international profile, attract investment, and expand partnerships, but their success depends on effectively implementing commitments, balancing foreign policy, and strengthening domestic institutions.
