ABSTRACT
In order to understand the modern-day economy of Vietnam, it is essential to know its economic history and politics. This chapter sets out the context for the analysis presented in the rest of the book, showing how Vietnam’s challenging past has heavily influenced its economic reform efforts, notwithstanding the highly uneven outcomes. It will showcase key statistical data from international organizations and Vietnamese state agencies, highlighting the dominance of the state, especially through the economic power of its state-owned enterprises, in spite of some seemingly bold liberalization moves. This helicopter view is helpful in providing background knowledge in addressing the main questions of this book.
