Cooperation between Vietnam and countries in the Gulf of Thailand to deal with maritime non-traditional security challenges (1995-2023)

Abstract

Non-traditional security (ANPTT) is a particularly important issue for sustainable development and a peaceful environment in the Gulf of Thailand. Under the resonance of globalization and the scientific and technological revolution, non-traditional security threats such as maritime insecurity, smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal migration, illegal fishing (IUU) directly impact on Vietnam's core economic and security interests. Therefore, in addition to domestic policies and efforts, Vietnam has promoted cooperation with countries in the Gulf such as Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia to resolve security issues arising in the region. This cooperation process has created encouraging initial results. In this paper, the author identifies major security challenges in the Gulf of Thailand, and analyze in depth the process of security cooperation between Vietnam and the regional countries from 1995 until now. At the end, it draws comments on the achievements and limitations of this cooperation process under a historical approach.