In the summer of 2011, Vietnam witnessed its longest anti-Chinese protest since 1975, spanning a total of three months. Citizens from all walks of life united their voices in opposition to China’s invasive actions in the South China Sea. People gathered in front of the Chinese embassy in Hanoi and its Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City every Sunday throughout this period. Initially, the Vietnamese government tolerated these displays of anger from the populace. However, in late August, state forces began to arrest and disperse the protesters, resulting in the detention of 47 individuals. Following this incident, the Hanoi government issued a stern warning, urging citizens to refrain from participating in further protests.

Since taking power in 1975, Communist-led Vietnam has constantly used violent tactics to quell anti-government and anti-state sentiment. However, the state has also used these methods to suppress the right of peaceful assembly regarding other issues such as religious freedom, workers’ rights, and infringements upon land rights.