ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at an important socio-cultural sphere in transition: changing images of Vietnamese women, and transformations in gender relations during new period in Vietnamese history. Vietnam's history of openness to incorporating and adapting aspects of foreign cultures is as rich and varied as its 'closed,' defensive tradition of resisting foreign domination by China, France, and then the United States. A primary object of renovation is the Vietnamese Communist Party which has been renewing itself both organizationally and ideologically in order to lead fundamental systemic reforms. While the main impetus is economic and political, Vietnam's present growing economic openness to international market forces, as well as the transition to market rather than state-controlled exchange of goods within the country, has profound implications for social relations. The new policy of displaying feminine smiles and female bodies serves as advertisement for the new Vietnam.
