Kamala Harris Takes on Hanoi—With a Dash of Mystery
Vice‑President Kamala Harris finally landed in Hanoi on August 24, but not without a little pre‑flight drama. After a three‑hour layover in Singapore, the US team decided to push through despite whispers of a “mysterious” health hiccup that locals called the Havana syndrome.
What’s the Havana Saga All About?
- Symptoms: Dizzy spells, nausea, headaches, and folks feeling like memory’s crossed the street.
- Origin: Unclear—some think it’s a human-made energy beam, others suspect foreign rivalry.
- Backstory: First spotted by US embassy workers in Cuba back in 2016.
Why Hanoi Became the Hotspot of the Moment
Reports surfaced that someone in the capital might have hit the same “spooky” episode. U.S. officials worked hard behind the scenes to vet the risk, but the issue caused a hold‑up in Singapore before Harris slipped onto the flight.
China’s Silent Big‑Move
While Harris was taking a soft landing in Vietnam, Beijing did its own dastardly stunt—thanks a million two million COVID‑19 vaccine doses to the Vietnamese government and a surprise meet‑and‑greet with the locals. A classic diplomatic ploy for anyone looking to be the go‑to superpower in Southeast Asia.
White House Pulls the Cover‑Behind‑the‑Scenes Curtain
White House press chief Jen Psaki was quick to declare, “We were alerted to a potential anomaly in Hanoi, but we couldn’t confirm it before Ms. Harris’ departure.” She added that a safety check was run before the VP set foot on Vietnamese soil.
CIA Insight on the Mystery
- Over 200 CIA officers and “knocked out” family companions have been hit by the syndrome, says CIA boss William Burns.
- National Academy of Sciences strides back in December: a “plausible” explanation is directed energy beams— subtle, or not so subtle?
- For now, CIA claims it’s “highly likely” that it’s intentionally produced and hints at Russia—though Moscow keeps its feet firmly on the ground and denies any involvement.
Bottom‑Line Takeaway
Vice‑President Harris’s visit might have been a little delayed, but her mission stays the same: solidify U.S. ties in Vietnam and sprinkle a friendly reminder that the U.S. is still a serious contender against China’s growing assertiveness. And when you combine seasoned diplomacy, a dash of humor, and a sprinkle of mystery, you get a story that keeps everyone on the edges of their seats—and hopefully early.
Vietnam says it picks no sides
Vietnam’s Secret Chat While the West & China Dodge a Cold War
When the U.S. was stuck in Vietnam, the locals played diplomacy like a game of chess.
Emily Harris, the U.S. vice‑president, had to postpone her Vietnam stopover, but Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh didn’t just sit in the chair. He surprised the city with a one‑off meeting with Chinese Ambassador Xiong Bo, addressed right before Harris landed in Hanoi.
What the Vietnamese Leader Said
- Vietnam will stay independent, not picking sides in the great East‑Asian rivalry.
- Our foreign policy is multilateral and highly diverse, we’re a “responsible member of the world.”
- The sea disputes? Law, logic, and practical sense should rule them—no power plays.
Official Commentary
The Vietnamese government echoed the Prime Minister’s stance, stressing that the country “does not align itself with one country against another.” It also urged that the South China Sea battles be settled by international law and “high‑level common sense.”
Why Beijing is Feeling the Heat
Strategic analysts at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington note that China’s timing was telling: the ambassador’s insistent demand for a meeting signals Beijing’s unease that its communist neighbour might lean toward the U.S. after Harris’s critical remarks about Chinese coercion in the South China Sea.
Vaccine Talk—A Side Note
During the encounter, Mr Chinh expressed thanks for a vaccine donation from China. The exact type remains undisclosed, but it landed amid Vietnam’s ongoing battle with the Delta variant, which has splashed worse than a slap‑dash in Ho Chi Minh City. With only just under 2 % of the 98‑million‑strong population fully vaccinated, the climate is still chilly.
Bottom Line
Even in a crisis, diplomatic gymnastics continue. While the U.S. marks the China rivalry as “the biggest geopolitical test of the century,” Vietnam balances its diplomatic deck, refusing to choose a side—just holding the cards. Stay tuned; the East‑Asian chessboard is far from over.
