China and Vietnam at war over a chain of largely uninhabited islands in the South China Sea . Recent oil drilling activities by China near the Marshall Islands , which they administer , have irked Hanoi . CNN traveled with Vietnamese coast guards to discuss how this conflict has become so volatile . Vietnam claims Chinese vessels are being highly aggressive , often using water cannon .
China and Vietnam at odds over a chain of largely uninhabited islands in the South China Sea . Recent oil drilling operations by China near the Paracel Islands , which they administer , have irked Hanoi . CNN traveled with Vietnamese coast guard to see how this conflict has become so volatile . Vietnam says Chinese vessels are being highly aggressive , often using water cannon .