The dialogue, which focuses on diplomacy, defence and public security, comes at a time when Southeast Asia is increasingly being seen as a geopolitical chessboard for superpower rivalry.

Analysts say the move signals China’s ambition to draw Vietnam closer into its orbit, while Hanoi seeks to hedge its bets by balancing ties with other global powers.

“This framework is crucial for Beijing,” said Huynh Tam Sang, an international-relations lecturer at Vietnam National University. “It helps facilitate Vietnam’s alignment with China, particularly at a time when the US, under Trump 2.0, could leverage Vietnam to counter China’s influence in Southeast Asia.”

The mechanics of ‘3+3’

Officials from both countries’ foreign affairs, military and public security circles assembled for the meeting. Vietnamese state media reported that the session was held at the vice-ministerial level, and China’s state-run Global Times hailed the mechanism as a “pioneering effort”.