The genesis and evolution of Vietnamese diplomacy (review of the monograph "Diplomatic Thought on the Defense of the Fatherland in the History of the Vietnamese Nation")

This review examines the monograph “Diplomatic Thought on National Defense in the History of the Vietnamese Nation”, which traces the formation and evolution of Vietnamese diplomacy from the nation's foundation until 1930. Prepared by a team of authors from the Institute of Military Social and Human Sciences under the Academy of Politics of the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam and published in Hanoi in May 2025, the book represents the first comprehensive effort to systematically analyze the phenomenon of Vietnam's diplomatic thought. It tracks its genesis, formation, and transformation, synthesizing disparate diplomatic practices into a coherent ideological framework. Drawing on an extensive body of historical sources, the authors introduce the concept of «diplomatic thought on national defense» (tư tưởng ngoại giao bảo vệ Tổ quốc) and reveal how, across different eras, diplomacy served Vietnam as a tool for preserving independence and became an integral part of its national identity. The review analyzes the structure and content of each chapter, assesses the research's source base, relevance, and novelty, and highlights both its strengths and debatable points.