Vietnam: Cautious, but Unpredictable in a Crisis

The past two decades brought about sweeping changes in Southeast Asia -- no country knows this better than Vietnam. Much like China, Vietnam is ruled by a strongly centralized Communist party, and from Jan. 20 to Jan. 28 the party will gather for its national congress. Held every five years, this Communist assembly will select a new general secretary, Politburo and Central Committee. But rather than being progressive, in many ways, this leadership transition will simply crystallize the country's existing strategic configuration. ...