Ain’t a real Zeihan video without strong winds crunching the audio

Things I am NOT worried about: Audio.

I could sum up Peter's videos like this: "We are mostly ok, the rest are screwed, even when it appears not to be so. The end".

Vietnam is an amazingly smart and lovely country…they have always understood the world around them and have always plotted their own path…they understand more than anyone the art of lose the battle but win the war

I remember reading a news story about the Soviets taking over Cam Ranh Bay, after the United States left Vietnam. The locals referred to the Soviets as Americans with no money.

“Fighting the Americans was business, fighting the Chinese is personal.” -Vietnamese guy i spoke with

Not sure what Putler wants from Vietnam but I've spent a lot of time there, I am fairly confident that Vietnam wants none of Russias troubles. They won't turn themselves into an enemy, so they meet, smile, nod, but at the end of the day Vietnam will do what's best for Vietnam. They're only just emerging and starting to develop, there's no way they ruin their economic and political weight for Russia, which is quickly going down and will, sooner or later, plunge into chaos. The Vietnamese know that perfectly well.

There is a sayinf Vietnam confronted thr americans for 10 yrs, the french 10 decades and thr chinese 10 centuries

China is the biggest trading partner of Vietnam. Vietnam also refused to condemn Russia and it didn't even bother to take part in the recent "peace" conference in Switzerland. Vietnam like India put their national interest first (unlike most European countries). The cope here is strong.

I feel like if you put together a top 10 list of countries largely misunderstood by the western world that Vietnam would pretty far up there. Even in the US where we fought a "war" with them, the average citizens knowledge of Vietnam is largely massively incorrect and based mostly on movies.

Things I am NOT worried about: Peter having sick shades

for those of you who no longer leave your computers and go outside, that's the wind affecting the audio at the beginning. relax.

That audio is rough on this one

FYI the Vietnamese use Russian Kilo class subs, equipped with Russian weapons. These are their major 'stategic' platforms and their only means of real defensive/offensive power projection in their immediate region. You have to believe that they are worried that their Kilo subs and their weapons would work to form as some of the other Russian 'high tech' weapons have in Ukraine.

The Vietnamese are fierce about their nation’s sovereignty. The only reason Ho Chi Minh went with communism was because France was trying to reassert its colonial ambitions in Vietnam after WW2 and the United States wouldn’t help them and Russia was the only one willing to help but the caveat was Ho Chi Minh had to turn to communism. The Vietnamese were so adamant about not being dominated by a foreign power that they were willing to go that route. In the Vietnam war the United States didn’t understand that. North Vietnam and the Viet Cong weren’t fighting because they were zealots of communism. They were fighting for Vietnams sovereignty. At the end of the day France was the real reason Vietnam became communist, otherwise Ho Chi Minh would have gone the democratic route. He was a big admirer of Thomas Jefferson. And all that bloodshed from the 1950s until the U.S. pulled out in 1975 was because of Frances stupid colonial ambitions.

Having lived in VN & I love it there, and have American & Vietnamese who live there I have no worry about VN. In the 80's VN moved to be a capitalist country. US, EU, & China have manufacturing plants there.

Like India, Vietnam doesn't want to cut bridges with Russia.

Peter "Giggles About War" Zeihan

Good analysis. The latest I heard out of India is that they were planning to buy 1,000 US Stryker IFVs to replace Russian BMPs. In the recent past they have been pulling away from Russian arms. It will take time. For example, they dropped out of the SU-57 program. They bought French Rafale fighters. They are also buying other US equipment and, in many cases, planning on co-producing the systems (as seems to be the case with the Stryker). They are also beefing up their own defense industry. I often joke that the Ukrainians should charge their western backers a marketing fee. Western weapons are more in demand than ever. What they have done to the Russian defense industry in terms of foreign sales is epic. By extension, the Chinese defense industry struggles with foreign sales. After all, their stuff is a low-quality copy of Soviet/Russian stuff and the corruption there is at least as bad.

Vietnamese here, peter is not wrong, but he isnt completely right or let just say didnt say enough. Vietnamese to this day still have a north and south separation problem, i dont know the word to describe it but its like "racism" between north and south. 4 out of 5( official data) money made from the south are sucked into the north leaving the south to fend for themself, the north have alway envy the south for developing faster, economy center, most of northern viet migrate down south, all the major gorv. position is held by northern viet or position with real power. Why do i mention this? It related to its communist position of power, it afraid of losing ally such as russia or it will be left a lone communist regime without backing and the jusfitication of its existence. This lead to the propaganda machine working against the west. Just to show u how bad it is, the media has been painting north korea or rather laundrying it to be a victim of the west lately(not outr right but let just day questionable), it also support iran against israel. What of the people? Parts are brainwashed, the other part is actively fight back with their own "insults", the rest is silent( ignorance, apathy, helpless...). It is a communist state at heart, vietnam is actually more alike to china, the resistance to china domination isnt strong because of how the propaganda machine work, it make china look like a saint when compared to iran north korea. At least in the people. Also, not sure if this will relate of anything, but vietnam is entering a police controlled era soon. It plan to recruit another millions police officers, ir try to copy what china did slowly. If u have follow vietnam politic recently, u would know its chairman drop like flies, it is at heart a dictator state, no real voting system. Summary? May be i lived here to long to see the whole picture but the head of the regime wanted wealth, so they will want to do business with the west, but in life and death they know they better rely on russia as a communist state if if they cant have that? China, for better or worst, the regime must be protect at all cost, even at the expend of the people

Vietnam is for Vietnam Interest like Turkey. They get along with and make trade deals with countries that the US or EU wouldn't.

Vietnam and India play a very important role of dissuading Russia from getting too chummy with China.

Things are changing Peter. Overconfidence and coercion has been the West’s problem since the fall of the USSR

We visited Vietnam a few years ago. Very pleasant experience but still has the legacy of the war to overcome. Atone point we went to a nature reserve that had been taken over by their military for a conference. Oh no I thought, we will be sent away. Not at all able to wander as we will and everywhere we saw the big officers they were all smiles and waves. Lovely people wherever we went.

The audio is rough as rough as Mr. Putin is experiencing trying to find friends.

They didn't forget agent Orange and American bombs 😅

Vietnam to the rest of the world 1. Your enemy is not necessarily my enemy 2. Your friends are also my friends The Vietnamese just want to live and thrive

One great thing about Peter Zeihan videos (among many) is his continued reminders to "look at it from point of view..." We in the US can be a little insular in our understanding, and so the opportunity to look at the world from Vietnam's or India's or Turkey's viewpoint is quite illuminating.

As a US Vietnam Vet I put some effort into trying to figure out why we were at war. I'm glad you mentioned Vietnam's relationship with China. I don't think most folks realize Vietnam's hatred and concern toward China. I must admit after all the horrendous things the US did to Vietnam including killing 2-3 million Vietnamese I'm was pleasantly surprised about the post war US Vietnamese relationship and they they are doing as well as they are.

Hi Peter Zeihan here coming to you from the Forest Moon of Endor.

My wife is a refugee from Vietnam. Her family escaped in 1978. Her parents hate two things. Communism and China. China constantly bullies Vietnam. China steals Vietnams fishing areas, and exploits any relationship they possibly can. And BTW Vietnamese are a beautiful yet fierce people. Often underestimated and frequently victorious over their enemies.

Thanks for laying this out!

доброе утро, Vietnam! 🇻🇳

I guess the only Vietnam memorial allowed in any photo ops with Putin will be the Vietnam / US war. The others are way too tall

Great video, very informative. Thank you. Love the hike you videoed from.

Vietnam's industrial complex has made quatum progress since its U.S. war. They are now building quite good cars and other technologically sophisticated consumer goods. They most certainly have the ability to make their own weapons...

Vietnam isn’t “firmly in the US camp.” Vietnam will be an ally but also looking out for its divergent interests, like Turkey.

I knew things changed when the Vietnamese government changed the name of The Museum of American Atrocities to The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam simply doesn't do 'ally', if that what you're concerned about. Not China, not Russia, most of all, not US either. Instead, Vietnam cooperate with all and determine its own fate. Vietnam has learned well from its history: never be a pawn.

I would argue that the Vietnam war was the most consequential foreign war for America in the last 2 centuries. Yes ww2 was important for Europe but the social change that took place in America as well as the impact on American life from the Vietnam war was consequential.

I haven't watched this yet, but let me guess - "it's no big deal"

Frankly, I'm far more worried about a clash with Philippines' and PLAN ships kicking things off that I am worried about Taiwan or Vietnam. I am surprised how this flashpoint is so obviously ignored by much of the media and politicians.

If the whole Geopolitics thing ends up not working out, you should seriously consider joining the Denver Tourism Development Committee 😀 Seriously gorgeous landscape over there

"The Vietnamese are siding with our enemies?! But why? We bathed their country in Agent Orange half a century ago! Surely they should love us!"

I'm more worried about the idiots in DC than any foreign capital, as they continue to impact me directly.

I’m fine with the audio because we get those awesome nature backgrounds!

Must be nice having a private jet to go literally anywhere whenever.

Don't mention the end of the petro-dollar. 😂

You can’t hit rock bottom … Putin hold my beer … goes to North Korea 😂

Vietnam is just smiling and greeting one of its neighborhood’s drunk uncle’s until they can get him out of the house and not worry about them until next Christmas.

Thanks!

You didn’t see the 2019 Vietnamese army tender document, it was very insightful, not sure if the event ever went ahead because of Covid but I’m pretty sure the procurement did go ahead. Dig out the tender and you’ll see the relevance of bringing Russia to the table; they have something that featured heavily in the doc

Ive read enough these past ten years, and have consumed enough of your content to laugh out loud when I read that Putin was in Hanoi. Every country has their own long-held interests, agency and patterns of behavior. Americans who watch casually follow these things would do really well to stifle their urge to reflexively and emotionally reason through a red white and blue prism.

Its always annoying how the mainstream media uses headlines to make it seem like the world is ending when they cover these issues

Fun fact: My country, Bulgaria, is probably the most advanced manufacturer of old Soviet weapons and shells. The Arsenal Plant is quite capable of replacing most of the Vietnamese needs, so dear Vietnamese, notice us!

Vietnam is in Vietnam's camp. Just like Ukraine is in Ukraine's camp and the US is in the US's camp. If push comes to shove, these nations will remind the US about that. There are maybe a handful of nations that will back the US no matter what. At any particular moment in history however our interests will align with these nations and it is not just useful but advantageous to not just keep friendly ties to them but to support them in times of need. It's much more preferable to keep our rivals and enemies occupied with problems on their own doorstep than to deal with them on our doorstep.

What happens now that Saudi Arabia let the Petro-Dollar deal expire?

Another thing to consider, the Vietnamese do like or trust the French, Russians or the Chinese for good reasons. Americans are honorable, fought hard, and in spite of a long hard war trade friendly and also don't trust the Russians and Chinese. And remember as contentious as war was and its aftermath with Vietnamese finding their way to the United States there is family here. And that family connection is American. Say what you want but Vietnam and the United States have more in common including respect.

Putin's dependence on China is too critical to allow for an even slightestly anti-Chinese move. His trip in the region is brokered by Beijing, as is Moscow's renewed alliance with North Korea. Absolutely out of question that China would permit the weakened bleeding Putin to play any game in any way hostile to China in Beijing's own backyard, or that he would be sufficiently suicidal to attempt such an affair. He is hanging now on China's support and nothing else, and Moscow's cooperation with Beijing in torpedoing Zelenskyy's Peace Summit in Bürgenstock manifests a perfect mutual understanding between the two powers.

Peter, love ya man but can we work on the microphone issues? Last few videos have terrible breakup and crackling.

Dude your mic doesn't work in a windy condition, otherwise great video!

Well, the US and Russia meddling in Vietnam didn't work so well in the past... let's see how this goes the second time around.

Interesting timing. This comes almost a year to the day after an American Carrier visited Da Nang while i was there

Awesome background Peter!

Vietnam is sitting in the proverbial canary's seat. All the major powers want Vietnam on their side but Vietanm has no interest in allaying with any of them.

The Vietnamese like American industrial investments. They won't go too far with Putin.

Does anyone know where the memorial Peter mention's is located? I remember him talking about it some time ago and I tried to find it back then, but couldn't.

Thanks Peter. I was a little surprised to see Russia reaching out to Vietnam. Vietnam will realize that Russia is a dead end. The Viets have a lot more to gain with the west and I have faith that they know it.

Maybe Vietnam has shells that Putin wants to buy.

I still remember how my sister's Chinese business associate referred to the Vietnamese 40 years ago as the N*****s of the Orient. That gave me some inkling into the sort of mindset at play.

Saw Vietnamese churches, Vietnamese doing business in America TKU for this video

Peter where do you get your news?

The more I listen to you the more you sound like a mouth piece for the military industrial complex!

Interesting points but the audio was bad.

As an Australian, I ponder what China’s attitude towards Putin’s pacts with North Korea and Vietnam might be. While they are aligned with Russia at present, the Chinese would not want security threats to their North and South. North Korea is ok for them at present, but led by a lunatic. Vietnam, as you point out, is a traditional enemy. I enjoy your thought provoking videos.

Audio is messed up.

Know who hasn't been at war with Vietnam....Russia.

I believe Peter is actually rollerblading around the planet - we just don't get to see them 😊

Learned about Vietnam's antipathy towards China in 1969. Quote from elder 1000 years ago "When they invade we retreat to the hills, and wait". Russia provided almost all of North Vietnam's weapons. Anything shipped through China well at least half was stolen. Most was shipped by water. Think about that long and hard. First rule of war - no land wars in Asia, second don't invade Russia. In 1973 we found out that Russia had lost the ability to supply small arms in quantity. They were depleted in arms and wealth due to Cuba, 6 Day War, Angola, VIETNAM, etc. Death by a thousand cuts.

Don’t worry…it doesn’t scare me

The Russian bots got your audio

I love Peter and these conversations. Who are his sources?

The main thing that concerns me about the Vietnam/Russia visit ... the expat Vietnamese in the US tend to skew conservative (more are Catholic in the US as a percentage than in Vietnam so perhaps this is why). If they like DJT, they're going to love what Putin has to offer.

wtf is this audio

CIA propaganda just doesn’t hit the same anymore 🤣

Thanks Peter

Interesting takeaway: Most advanced Russian arms have underperformed in real-world conditions, collapsing their arms exports, but not in the case of Vietnam, which is interested in simpler weapons that have not underperformed.

russian allies are as quality as your audio 😂

First!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my dad went to Viet Nam in 1970 for about a year

Excellent Insights!!!

I think a gentle approach with Vietnam would be wise. Being honest, raising concerns but at the same time praising the good things eg the manufacturers leaving China and setting up factories in Vietnam. Long story short - Russia's on the downward path, Vietnam has potential, why tie itself to the "sinking ship" of Russia? That kind of approach.

“They want anti-shit missiles.” Yes, you heard it here first! 3:17 I played it back 3 times just to make sure. 😂

definitely not worried about audio quality.

Interesting perspective, Peter!

"nuanced understanding", I like that - nuanced understanding, somewhat scarce is the old ~

Peter you need to get a noise filter on that mic. Gutman sells deadcat windscreens. They give your phone a lil afro loll

No, No, No, No. No military alliances. No siding with one country against another. No foreign military bases or allowing other countries to stage attacks from Vietnam. No coercion of another country through the use of force. Both the US and Vietnam have a similar mindset when it come to mutual benefit through trade, but the US has a hard time understanding that Vietnam wants an open relationship. It really wants it to be its girlfriend and is jealous.

It's like the governor of New York travelling to Vietnam on a junket.

I'm from Indiana and it's cheaper to buy an SKS than it is to buy a pistol here 😅