Viet Nam Brief

Outline of Presentation

Background
Current Political Structure and
Government
Comparison of Vietnamese and
Australian Political Systems
Current Issues
Background
Z 13th most populous
country - 86m (2008)
Z 57th largest GDP
(nominal)
Z 168th GDP (ppp)
Z High economic
growth rates
Z Success in poverty
reduction
Human Geography

Z Kinh 86%

Z Tay 1.9%

Z Thai 1.75

Z Muong 1.55

Z Khmer 1.55

Z Hoa 1.15

Z Nung 1%

Z Others 4.1%
 Still a Developing Country
Organisation Survey Ranking

Heritage Foundation/The Wall Index of Economic 135 out of

Street Journal Freedom 2008 157
The Economist Worldwide Quality-of-life 61 out of
Index, 2005 111
Reporters Without Borders Worldwide Press Freedom 162 out of
Index 2007 169
Transparency International Corruption Perceptions 121 out of
Index 2008 180
United Nations Development Human Development 105 out of
Programme Index 2007/08 177
World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness 70 out of
Report 2008/09 131
 Political Structure and
Government
Z Leninist one-party
Z Mono-organisational socialism
Z Dual role elites
Z Gradual political liberalisation since 1992
Z No pluralism, multi-parties or opposition
Z Market economy with socialist orientations
Z Soft-authoritarian
Administrative Divisions
59 provinces
5 municipalities
Hanoi
Haiphong
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City
Can Tho
Mono-organisational Socialism
Party Structure
Viet Nam Communist Party

Nông Đức Mạnh

10th National Congress

April 2006
 Central Committee

160 full and 21 alternate members, required to

meet in plenary session twice a year. Three
plenums held in 2008.
 The State
President Vice President
Nguyen Minh Triet Nguyen Thi Doan
 National
Assembly - Quốc
Hội

Nguyen Phu Trong - Chair

• 500 deputies from 64
administrative units
• Bi-annual sessions
• National Assembly
Standing Committee
Military Bloc in National Assembly
No Longer a Rubber Stamp

Proceedings broadcast on radio and television,

voting results made public, full-time deputies,
Ministers grilled, legislation amended, Prime
Minister’s nominee rejected, ‘confidence’ vote,
 Cabinet - Chính Phủ
(literally ‘government’)

From collective leadership to ministerial responsibility

Vietnam Fatherland Front
Mặt Trận Tổ Quốc
•Vietnam Communist Party
•People’s Armed Forces
•General Confederation of
Labour
•Vietnam Farmers Union
•Vietnam Youth Federation
•Vietnam Women’s Union
•Vietnam Veterans’ Union
 Youth Union Leaders
Tat Thanh Cang Vo Van Thuong
 Comparison of Vietnamese and
Australian Political Systems
Z No separation of power Z Separation of power
Z One-party Z Multi-party
Z Voting non-compulsory Z Compulsory voting
Z Unicameral legislature Z Bicameral legislature
Z Politically active armed Z Politically neutral
forces armed forces
Z Mass organisations Z Civic organisations are
state-controlled independent
Z Media state-controlled Z Media independent
 Current Issues
a. Inflation
b. Labour Strikes
c. The Media and Corruption
d. Human Rights & Religious Freedom
e. Catholic Church-State Land Disputes
f. Foreign Policy: South China Sea
g. Impact of Global Economic Crisis
Vietnam: Inflation 2007-2008
Labour Strikes in Viet Nam

Source: Kerkvliet 2008b and Vietnam Investment Review, August 25, 2008
 Reasons for Strikes

Z Inflation Z Lack of allowances (sick

and maternity leave)
Z Increased productivity
quotas without pay Z Long shifts
Z Overtime without Z Enforced overtime
compensation
Z No contracts
Z Denial of annual leave
Z Health and safety
Z Delay in wages
Z Inadequate annual bonus
Z Inadequate meal
allowance/poor meals Z Social insurance unpaid
The Media and Corruption
•Press break
PMU 18 scandal
•Transport
Minister resigns
•Deputy Minister
and head of
PMU 18
arrested
•Press campaign
called off 2006
•Deputy Minister
released and
exonerated
•Press resume
reporting on
scandal
•Reporters
arrested
 The Media and Corruption
•Journalists from
Thanh Nien and
Tuoi Tre and their
police informants
arrested, tried and
convicted of ‘abuse
of power’

In August, press credentials revoked for 5 journalists

and editors from 4 newspapers and press credentials
withdrawn from 2 other reporters.
 Human Rights
Pro-Democracy Activists Bloc 8406
 Religious Freedom
Unified Buddhist Church Degar ethnic minority
of Viet Nam House Church Christians
 Catholic Church-State Land Disputes

Former Vatican Embassy Thai Ha Parish

Catholic Church-State Land Disputes

Peaceful Prayer Vigils Mass Rallies of Solidarity

Catholic Church-State Land Disputes

Police Intervention Organised Gangs

Catholic Church-State Land Disputes

New Public Park Another Public Park

Foreign Policy: South China Sea
Foreign Policy: South China Sea
2007 Student Protests Dieu Cay - Blogger
Impact of Global Economic Crisis
 Contact Details
9 carlthayer@webone.com.au
9 Mobile: 0437 376 429

Thayer Consultancy
P.O. Box 435
Jamison Centre, ACT 2614