This study investigates the effectiveness of Chinese COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy in the Philippines and Vietnam from a soft power perspective. Using a qualitative multiple case study design and four soft power indicators (public opinion, foreign policy, attractiveness, and business and trade), the research found that Chinese vaccine diplomacy was largely unsuccessful in both countries. While there were some minor improvements in attractiveness (Vietnam) and business/trade (Philippines), public opinion and foreign policy indicators showed neutral or negative results for China. The study concludes that China's hard power tactics undermined its soft power efforts, highlighting the tension between global health goals and foreign policy objectives in vaccine diplomacy.

Remco Johan Leonard van Dijk, Catherine Yuk-ping Lo