Collective Memory as a Strategic Resource: Political Discourse and the Construction of Vietnam–Russia Relations in the Post–Cold War Era

Abstract

This article examines the role of collective memory in the construction and maintenance of Vietnam–Russia relations in the post–Cold War era. Unlike conventional studies that primarily focus on geopolitics, military cooperation, or economic interests, this research approaches memory as a strategic resource deliberately mobilized in political discourse and public diplomacy. Drawing on theoretical frameworks of memory politics and constructivism in international relations, the article argues that the memory of Soviet–Vietnamese relations is not merely symbolic but actively contributes to reinforcing political legitimacy, reproducing trust, and reducing political transaction costs in bilateral interactions. Through an analysis of official discourse, commemorative practices, and educational–cultural cooperation, the study demonstrates how the narrative of “traditional friendship” is reconstructed as a continuous bridge between past and present. In the context of intensifying great-power competition and an evolving international order, the mobilization of collective memory helps sustain the relative stability and distinctiveness of Vietnam–Russia relations. By integrating the historical–symbolic dimension into the study of contemporary foreign policy, the article contributes to expanding analytical approaches to bilateral relations beyond purely strategic or material considerations.