If you want a blueprint for how countries can survive this era of great power rivalry, look no further than Vietnam.

A focus on economic growth and a determination to avoid dependence on any single power has transformed it into one of Asia¡¯s most successful states. Hanoi offers a model for how nations straddling the line between the U.S. and China can thrive even during uncertainty.

President To Lam is driving this agenda. He effectively became the communist regime¡¯s strongman when he secured the role of president and head of state?in April, a predictable outcome in the one-party state. Lam¡¯s ascension has drawn parallels with China¡¯s Xi Jinping because of the unusual concentration of power in one leader.