Four nos policy

The "four nos" national defence policy (chính sách quốc phòng "bốn không"), also known as the "four nos and one depending" (bốn không và một tùy) or "four nos, one also and one depending" (bốn không, một đồng và một tùy) policy, is the common name for the defence policy and doctrine of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Formally nominated, defined and represented in various editions of the National Defence White Papers published by the Vietnam Ministry of National Defence, the "four nos" policy declares the country's commitment to non-alignment and independence in the context of military, politics, and foreign affairs, together with bamboo diplomacy strategically shaping the Vietnamese foreign policy doctrine.

The late Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister and Colonel General Nguyễn Chí Vịnh (1959-2023) is widely credited to be the mastermind behind the development of the four nos policy. Official Vietnamese narratives actively avoid characterizing the policy as labelling Vietnam to be a neutral country, with Vịnh himself voiced again such misrepresentation, claiming that Vietnam is "independent" with flexibility, not "passive" neutrality.

Việt Nam không trung lập, Việt Nam độc lập. Độc lập hoàn toàn khác với trung lập. Chúng ta độc lập trên cơ sở đạo lý, luật pháp quốc tế và lợi ích của Việt Nam...

[Vietnam is not neutral, Vietnam is independent. Being independent is utterly different from being neutral. We are independent on the basis of ethical principles, international law, and Vietnam’s interests...]