Vietnam’s president and party chief To Lam used the Shangri‑La Dialogue in Singapore to warn regional militaries that unchecked great‑power rivalry threatens both security and growth. He described a “big fish swallowing the small fish” dynamic driven by distrust and rule‑defiance, and said the South China Sea’s choke points amplify those risks. He urged to build trust through cooperation that safeguards livelihoods and raises living standards.

Lam argued that instability stems as much from disruptions to development as from battlefield clashes. Vietnam, aiming for a wealthy status by 2045, needs a resilient economic base and double-digit growth to offset shocks. He warned that trade, finance, tariffs, energy and data are increasingly weaponised, citing the Iran war’s spill‑over effects as a cautionary tale and geopolitical tension in the region.

The speech underscored Vietnam’s balancing act: deep trade ties with China, growing exports to the United States, and new defence purchases from Washington. While Washington remains distant, Hanoi continues to court both superpowers and diversify partners such as Japan, South Korea and India to protect its supply chains. Lam’s message signals that stable, rules‑based commerce will drive the country’s next growth surge.