Vietnam

Background

Following the war in the 1970s, Vietnam has made considerable progress not only towards recovery, but also in terms of poverty eradication. In 1986 the communist government embraced doi moi, or 'renovation'. These were economic reforms which started to open the country up to market forces and foreign investment. Much of the investment has come from Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea, and whilst in recent years it declined, new laws are designed to increase investment from Europe as well as South East Asia.

Government actions

Investors feel that there is still too much red tape, slowing down projects, and that corruption is increasing. At times, the government seems slow in its response, and is determined to keep control of all initiatives. There is determination to keep the one-party state. That aside, the impact of new projects has been dramatic. By moving away from collective (large state run) farms to household tenure, food production has increased with the introduction of new rice varieties and plant protection services.

Impact upon the people

The increase in rice production has been dramatic, as have techniques in animal husbandry, including meat raising. This has helped improve people's health, as well as increasing the levels of income in the local community. Within the country as a whole, poverty has decreased from 58% in 1993 to 37% in 1998, according to the World Bank statistics. Further projects are aimed at reducing poverty in the Mekong Delta, through farming initiatives. Tourism is also being developed, as a further means of stimulating the economy.

Country Facts Population:

79 million Government Communist Peoples Republic Life Expectancy: 65 (men) 70 (women) Average annual income: US$390 Main Exports: clothing, petroleum, footwear, rice