Country Profile

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.