Document(s) 7 of 9

Vietnam has embarked on a far-reaching transition of unusual character — an attempt to transform the country’s economy, through market liberalization, without altering its centralized political structure.

Doi Moi, (roughly, “reconstruction”), the term adopted in 1986, described a set of policies designed to foster a “market socialism through large measures of free enterprise while preserving the political primacy and governing power of the Communist Party. At its inception it was a dramatic and outward-looking course change for Vietnam, and it led IDRC to explore the potential for supporting development research in the new policy environment.

Careful fact-finding and consultations with Vietnamese researchers and government officials revealed undoubted challenges — and compelling opportunities. Early project initiatives, undertaken with the eager collaboration of Vietnam’s government, have since matured into a continuing and productive research relationship.

Document(s) 7 of 9