Vietnam's Membership in ASEAN: Economic, Political and Security Implications

Abstract

Southeast Asia faces tremendous challenges in the last years of the twentieth century. A shift in the balance of forces among the major powers along with the revival of past suspicions and rivalries and the emergence of new ambitions by states constitute potential threats to the region's peace and stability. Economic issues are no less challenging. One of the region's responses has been to contemplate expanding ASEAN's membership to incorporate other countries in Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam. Recent improvements in Vietnam-ASEAN relations give cause to believe that Vietnam will soon become a member of the Association. Starting from the premise of Vietnam as a member of ASEAN, this article seeks to explore the economic, political, and security implications for Vietnam and other ASEAN countries as well as their relations with outside powers in the context of a changing regional and international environment.