Vietnam’s geostrategic actions under feudal times

Vietnam’s feudal dynasties always combined firm military measures with civilian, flexible diplomacy notably the “diplomatic tribute” and “diplomatic marriage”; where the border protection was the excuse for the Southward territory expansion; using the strategy “people enlarge land ownership first, the state governs later” to confirm the sovereignty. The task of “Southward march” and “Eastward march” not only provided new resources for Vietnam’s growth but also set up a geographical “trap” in Vietnam’s state administration career, especially in solving and balancing the power among the regions as well as in protectingthe national sovereignty and border security on both land and sea. However, the lack of strategic vision in developing national synergy limited Vietnam’s strategic space, pushing the country backward and becoming a French colony.

Vietnam, geostrategic actions, development space, the monarchic time, Southward and Eastward territory expansion