Tuan Hiep TRAN

“The superior man is modest in his speech but exceeds in his actions.” — Confucius Today, people speak of Confucianism as a tradition of the past  — a system of ethics, order, family, and harmony. Some venerate it as ancient wisdom. Others dismiss it as a relic of feudalism. Few actually live it. Confucianism, as it survives now, is often either: –  A school subject , disconnected from life. –  A tool of cultural identity , used for political or nationalistic messaging. –  A museum of rituals , repeated without understanding. But what if we’ve misunderstood? What if Confucianism is not dead, nor outdated, but simply  waiting for someone to live it again — not by quoting the texts, but by breathing life into their spirit ? Not Just a Code of Conduct. A Field of Being. Confucius did not invent a religion. He lived a Way. He did not seek to rule. He sought to refine the human heart. He did not impose morality. He cultivated presence, alignment, and rightness — in s...

The world is entering a new era of great-power competition, with the United States and China locked in a contest over global influence. This is not just about trade wars or military tensions—it is a deeper struggle over the shape of the international order. Will the 21st century continue to be defined by U.S. leadership, or will China’s growing economic and political clout create a new global structure? Rush Doshi’s The Long Game: China’s Grand Strategy to Displace American Order provides a compelling framework to understand Beijing’s long-term ambitions. He argues that China has carefully planned its rise in three phases : first, quietly building strength; then, gradually reducing U.S. influence; and now, actively shaping a China-centered global system. For Vietnam, a country historically positioned between major powers, this evolving landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. As an emerging economy with deep ties to both China and the U.S., Vietnam must navigate this de...