Who Drives Economic Reform in Vietnam’s Provinces?

Abstract

The authors compare two provinces in the North and two in the South, observing how different alignments of interest influence the reform process. The research shows that in those provinces which are making most progress in economic reform, the private sector played an important role. Not against government but with government. There was no formal public-private coalition, but a dynamic existed of proactive government seeking input from the private sector, and the latter lobbying for and contributing to responsive and effective government. Both national and foreign enterprises played a role, but small enterprises tended to be marginalised from the process. PLEASE NOTE: This is a Research Summary of 'Who Drives Economic Reform in Vietnam’s Provinces?', IDS Research Report 76.