China and Vietnam are testing a new format of cooperation, building a more complete partnership for a changing Asia When China and Vietnam sat down in Hanoi on March 16 for their first-ever ‘3+3’ strategic dialogue, it marked the launch of a new kind of coordination – one that goes beyond the usual playbook. Not your usual security meeting Most countries stick to the tried and tested ‘2+2’ format, bringing together foreign and defense officials. But China and Vietnam added a third pillar: