Country Profile
From The Report: Vietnam 2017
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Stretching across the heart of South-east Asia, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has risen to become one of the region’s greatest success stories, after witnessing a remarkable post-war economic recovery. The nation’s vast coastline, rolling highlands, dense jungle and abundance of natural resources have helped to bolster its rapid industrial development, while ongoing economic liberalisation and government initiatives to privatise or restructure a number of state-owned enterprises have had a major impact on foreign direct investment.

This chapter contains a viewpoint from Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; an interview with Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and a viewpoint from Former US President Barack Obama.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

At all levels: An intensely local country is nonetheless flexing international muscle
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Stretching across the heart of South-east Asia, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has risen to become one of the region’s greatest economic success stories, after witnessing a remarkable post-war economic recovery. The nation’s vast coastline, rolling highlands, dense jungle and abundance of natural resources have helped to bolster its rapid industrial development, while ongoing economic liberalisation and government initiatives to privatise or restructure a number of state-owned enterprises…

Viewpoint

Land of potential: Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, on welcoming investors
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Viewpoint:Nguyen Xuan Phuc With strong will and resolve to undertake in-depth and comprehensive reforms, Vietnam has grown from a poor, war-torn country with a centrally planned and subsidised economy, to a middle-income developing nation with a market economy. The country is now poised to step into the next stage of even more robust development thanks its ongoing policy of reform and open door, known as Doi Moi. Vietnam is proud to be one of the fastest-growing economies with a sustained…

Analysis

Joining the pack: The country is steadily transitioning to a liberalised economy
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After years of strong economic growth and surging foreign direct investment, Vietnam today is emerging as a key middle-income country in the Southeast Asian political and economic sphere. A nation of ancient traditions, with a youthful and energetic population, the Socialist Republic is also moving through a period of additional economic reforms, while continuing to leverage its strategic location and strong international relations to further boost its rapidly growing overseas trade activity. All…

Interview

Team player: Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on ASEAN and the APEC 2017 agenda
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Interview: Pham Binh Minh What goals are being set for Vietnam’s further cooperation and participation in ASEAN? PHAM BINH MINH: Being part of ASEAN, Vietnam wishes to work with other members to build up and maintain a peaceful and stable environment for development and prosperity in the region. Considering that Vietnam and ASEAN share one common destiny, we see ASEAN as a strategic priority in our foreign policy. Apart from the concrete goals for relations with each individual ASEAN member state,…

Analysis

A season to celebrate: The 25th APEC summit is being held in Vietnam in 2017
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For the second time in its history, Vietnam is set to host the APEC summit and related activities in 2017. Focusing on the overarching theme of “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future”, the summit will gather economic leaders of 21 APEC members to discuss the future of free trade, new drivers for economic growth and the role of APEC in tackling common challenges in the region. These are issues of high importance given the current state of global trade and growth, and that the planned…

Viewpoint

A comprehensive partnership: Former US President Barack Obama, on Vietnamese-US cooperation and creating economic opportunities
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Viewpoint:Barack Obama Over the past two decades, Vietnam has achieved enormous progress, and today the world can see the strides that you have made. With economic reforms and trade agreements, including with the US, Vietnam has entered the global economy, selling your goods around the world. More foreign investment is coming in,and with one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, Vietnam has moved up to become a middle-income nation. We see Vietnam’s progress in the skyscrapers…