Engaging with the World: The Republic of Vietnam and Its Foreign Policy during the Vietnam War (1965–1973)

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ABSTRACT This article analyses the progress of the Republic of Vietnam (RVN)‘s foreign policy during the Vietnam War (1965–1973). The major hypothesis of this research is that South Vietnamese diplomats attempted to align with their partners and, distinct from the United States (US)’ administration, to do two missions: fighting against communism and elevating its position in the international milieu. This paper employs a wealth of source materials housed at the National Archives Centre II, Vietnam and the method of historiography to chronologically historicise two phases. From 1965 to 1968, South Vietnamese diplomats enlisted the munificent support of Free World Military Forces and stressed the importance of military collaboration, though the regime started referring to civic aspects. However, the 1969–1973 phase saw a growth of civic collaboration and deeper integration of the RVN in international organisations and forums. This action purposefully appealed for financial support and world opinion to a higher degree of diplomatic recognition so that it would blaststrategic military and propaganda of Communists at the Paris Conference.