IS there any plans to abandon the communist party?
No, unless such a scenario occurs (I hope not): At a sudden greedy China invades and successfully subjugates Vietnam. A non-communist hero arrives at the scene and expells the dirty Chinese out of the country. He or She will become Emperor of Great Vietnam. So or similar had happened in the past. No joke. Bitter history.
IS the Vietnam China situation much like the China Soviet situation of the past?
No, the situation is different. The Soviet Unions collapsed becaused its economy collapsed. There is no real threat that China and Vietnam would share the same fate. Both economies are flourishing.
But from what I can see due to size and population we have not only matched by outperformed the Russians in terms of economy, and it is only a matter of time before we do so on other fronts.
If all continues to progress with the pace what you achieved in the last 3 decades, then your rise is unstoppable (and that is not necessary a good sign for Vietnam). Putin wants to revive his empire. He has the tools to achieve: giant landmass, huge natural resources, modern army and smart people. Don´t underestimate the Russians!
How does Vietnam see itself?
we are small and live under the shadow of China. That is depressing. Although we have successfully expanded our territory since we started the South March, but it is still too little.
How will Vietnam react, because unless something crazy happens and we go back to cultural revolution China and Vietnam becomes Meiji or post war Japan, there is no way Vietnam will ever surpass China, it's a simple matter of we got 10 times the population and a bunch more land.
In the last 100 years Vietnam suffered a lot under the boots of foreigners. All we wish is peace and prosperity. I hope we both can manage the sea dispute (actually we always had and have all of some sorts of disputes with you in the last 1,000 years, since we became independent).
As for Japan, it was a strategic mistake of Vietnam to follow Chinese model until 19 century (closed doors). If we had adopted Japan model (Meiji), the history would take another road.
So what is Vietnam's role and future relationship with China? Are we going to be a UK, US relationship?
If history is a guide, I guess, then Vietnam will behalve to China like we had done under the Ming and Qing dynasties. With a bit modification this time. Vietnam would accept Chinese supremacy in Asia, formally. Instead of paying tributes, we would establish free trades and non-aggression pact. China would honor Vietnam by accepting our dominance in Indochina. You dominate economics, we can play in our backyard. Win-win situation.
I assume a US-UK like relationship is unlikely, but we should never say No.
