Vietnam is one of only five Communist, one-party states left in the world. No political opposition is permitted. Dissidents are routinely jailed and the repression has become even more severe in recent years. Decision-making at the top of the party is shrouded in secrecy.
However, a leaked internal document from the Politburo of the Central Committee, the highest decision-making body in Vietnam, has shone a rare light on what the party's most senior leaders think about all these international partnerships.
The document, known as Directive 24, was obtained by Project88, a human rights organisation focused on Vietnam.
It was issued by the Politburo last July, and contains dire warnings about the threat posed to national security from "hostile and reactionary forces" brought to Vietnam through its growing international ties.
The document urges party officials at all levels to be rigorous in countering these influences. It warns that for all Vietnam's apparent economic successes, "security in the economy, finance, currency, foreign investment, energy, labour is not firm, there is a latent risk of foreign dependence, manipulation, and seizures of certain 'sensitive areas'".
This revelation has sparked a new of dissidence and propaganda against the government of Vietnam.