The United States and China have seen their relationship continue to sour as the two countries compete on the global stage. But while the superpower pair seeks to edge each other out in a race to own the next decade, there is a third party that could benefit most of all: Vietnam. 

Why are the US and China trying to win over Vietnam?
Vietnam has "shrewdly positioned itself halfway between China and America, prompting both superpowers to woo it," The Economist said. Notably, Vietnam was the only country in 2023 to receive state visits from both President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Hanoi's balancing act between these complex, competing geopolitical interests is now known as "bamboo diplomacy."

Vietnam seemingly has more in common with China than with the U.S. However, Vietnam's system of government is generally considered more democratic and less restrictive than China's. As a result, many "ordinary Vietnamese are deeply suspicious of their giant, bullying neighbor," The Economist said, largely as a consequence of China staking claims on Vietnam's portions of the South China Sea. This has led the U.S. and China to jostle for a position at Vietnam's side. 

How is this benefiting Vietnam?
The breakdown of U.S.-China relations has seen Vietnam emerge as "one of the rare winners during recent years of deglobalization," Forbes said. Vietnam has expanded its business opportunities both domestically and with foreign markets. 

This has led to countries around the world pouring resources into Vietnam, with the country's General Statistics Office reporting $36.6 billion in direct foreign investments in 2023. This represented a 32.1% year-over-year increase and was the highest level of foreign investment in Vietnam in five years, the office reported. 

But there is a catch in all of this. Vietnam's domestic stock changes are considered frontier markets by the West, which makes "Vietnamese stocks off limits to many global investors and family offices," Forbes noted. Nonetheless, "economically it has probably never faced a more benign global environment," The Economist said of the country.

An art installation called "'Till Death Do Us Part" displayed during a Valentine's Day event in Bucharest, Romania 
Vadim Ghirda / AP

Art, natural history and science museums are wonderful places to explore, but sometimes you want a museum shake-up. That's where these three out-of-the-ordinary museums come into play, with their focus on ramen, toilets and tap water.

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, Yokohama, Japan
Ramen is a staple in many diets (looking at you, college kids), and the humble dish gets its brothy due at this museum south of Tokyo. Shin-Yokohama opened its doors in 1994, has displays on the history of ramen and offers ramen-making classes. The main draws are the shops that sell different types of ramen and the Sunset Shopping Street, a replica of a traditional sweets shop that sells hundreds of old-fashioned treats and toys.

Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, New Delhi, India
While its focus is the porcelain throne, Sulabh is much more than that. It examines the history of hygiene and sanitation, with exhibitions on social customs and etiquette, toilet technology, and sewage systems. The museum has three main sections — ancient, medieval and modern — and an extensive collection of objects, including chamber pots, bidets and toilets from 1145 to present day. 

Museum of Tap Water, Beijing, China
Standing on the site of Beijing's first city water plant is the Museum of Tap Water, which delves into what it takes to bring H20 to a metropolis. The museum has exhibitions on how water is collected and filtered, with photos, models, sand tables and other objects serving as illustrations. It is an educational experience for everyone, especially those who do not have much hydrology knowledge.