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James Borton

In a development that may not have made headlines but carries significant diplomatic weight, Vietnam has been nominated to preside over the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) set for 2026. At first glance, this might seem like a routine appointment within the well-worn cycles of international diplomacy.
However, at a moment when nuclear anxieties are re-emerging – not least due to Iran’s relatively opaque atomic activities – the selection signals a subtle but powerful shift: Vietnam is no longer just a capable regional actor, but a country the international community trusts to navigate the treacherous waters of global nuclear governance.
This elevation comes as the spectre of nuclear proliferation once again casts a long shadow over international security. Iran’s enrichment capabilities have rekindled fears of a destabilised Middle East, prompting urgent calls for credible diplomatic frameworks.
In that context, Vietnam’s appointment reflects a collective bet that a nation with no nuclear ambitions – and a history of balancing great power relations – can help restore confidence in a non-proliferation regime under mounting strain.
The NPT review conferences are not mere ceremonial gatherings. These are high-stakes diplomatic arenas where nuclear and non-nuclear states negotiate the fragile balance between deterrence and disarmament, peaceful nuclear cooperation and proliferation risks. Presiding over such a conference demands neutrality, negotiation skills and a reputation for constructive engagement. Vietnam’s nomination, therefore, is a geopolitical endorsement.

Vietnam’s journey from a war-ravaged state in the late 20th century to a confident player in the multilateral sphere is one of the most inspiring stories of post-Cold War diplomacy. Having joined the United Nations in 1977, Vietnam’s foreign policy has evolved markedly from ideological alignment to strategic diversification. Hanoi’s adherence to a doctrine of “bamboo diplomacy” – flexible yet principled engagement with all partners – has allowed it to expand its diplomatic footprint without compromising sovereignty.
Over the past two decades, Vietnam has taken part in regional and global forums, from chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2020 to assuming a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council from 2020 to 2021. Its track record in those roles helped cultivate a diplomatic persona that is pragmatic, peace-oriented and attentive to the concerns of both developed and developing nations.
The NPT, first signed in 1968, remains the cornerstone of global efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons while promoting peaceful nuclear technology and disarmament. Its review conferences – typically held every five years – serve as critical opportunities to evaluate progress and address mounting challenges, from the modernisation of nuclear arsenals by major powers to the latent proliferation risks posed by emerging regional conflicts.
Vietnam, a consistent advocate for nuclear disarmament, has ratified major treaties such as the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. As president of the 11th Review Conference, it will have the pivotal role of guiding consensus among nations with vastly different interests.


Beyond the immediate diplomatic prestige, Vietnam’s leadership role in nuclear non-proliferation will have implications in the economic realm – particularly for institutional investors. Vietnam’s appointment can be read as a subtle yet important indicator of its international credibility and predictability – traits investors value in emerging markets.
Certainly, Vietnam’s strengthening diplomatic profile is aligned with its domestic agenda to attract high-quality foreign direct investment and build resilient supply chains, especially as companies seek alternatives to overdependence on single markets such as China. By stepping into a leadership role on global security matters, Hanoi reinforces its branding as a responsible and stable partner in a volatile geopolitical environment.
Still, the NPT role will not be without its challenges. The global nuclear order is under growing strain. Tensions between the US, Russia and China have hardened as new nuclear technologies complicate traditional treaties. Meanwhile, disarmament momentum has stalled.


As the presiding nation, Vietnam will have to manage the politics of disappointment, balancing the frustrations of non-nuclear states against the strategic inertia of the major powers.
If successful, Vietnam could significantly bolster its soft power, much like how nations such as Norway, Switzerland and Indonesia have used neutral diplomacy to amplify their international standing.
Vietnam’s nomination to chair the 11th NPT review conference marks a recognition of the country’s growing credibility on the world stage. Built through steady engagement in multilateral forums, Vietnam’s ascent is increasingly seen not as a momentary rise, but as a stabilising presence in global affairs.
As the world navigates an increasingly uncertain security landscape, such developments are benchmarks of where new centres of gravity may be forming. Vietnam, once defined by conflict, finds itself entrusted with steering the world towards peace.


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After years of steady global engagement, Vietnam has emerged as a stabilising force that can effectively promote world peace


After years of steady global engagement, Vietnam has emerged as a stabilising force that can effectively promote world peace.


Nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)

United Nations

Diplomacy

Global South

Iran

China

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Russia

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Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Hanoi’s growing role in nuclear diplomacy is a sign of multilateral trust

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}After years of steady global engagement, Vietnam has emerged as a stabilising force that can effectively promote world peace

After years of steady global engagement, Vietnam has emerged as a stabilising force that can effectively promote world peace