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Texas Wesleyan University

History & Politics of Vietnam

Lindsay Andrews

Comparative Politics

Dr. Morris

30 March 2018
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Introduction

Vietnam is a country that has been through a lot since its creation. Vietnam was chosen as a way

to learn more about how they started as a civilization and what happened throughout their history

that has shaped who the people of Vietnam are and what their culture represents and what it means

to the citizens. Choosing Vietnam was a way to better understand the politics behind how the

country runs, given that even today; Vietnam is still a communist run country. Although it seems

that Vietnam is making changes to the way government is run by allowing non-communist parties

to run in elections and participate in politics, it still seems the country doesn’t plan to give up its

communist ways. Given what Vietnam has endured since becoming a country, it will be interesting

to see what drove them to become a successful state and manage to live somewhat peacefully.

Choosing Vietnam opens up discussions about how they became a communist run country and

what its citizens are doing to bring changes to the Constitution and trying to convince the

government they will only succeed and become a more developed country if they were a

democratic nation.

Choosing Vietnam is a way to expand one’s knowledge on development and why the country

remains communist. It is a way to learn more about the unification of the entire country and how

it can be improved upon or changed to match most of the rest of the world as a free state. It is a

way to understand how they gained their independence and formed government that revolved

around the people and how it changed and became corrupt and ultimately started failing the citizens

in Vietnam.

. The country wants to succeed and become a more developed country in the next few years and

many citizens are constantly fighting for democratic change. Discussing Vietnam expands on past,
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present and future endeavors to remain unified, but also making the necessary changes to have a

more stable economy and a successful and developed country in general.

Vietnam is on its way to making proper changes, although it still remains unclear when or how

these changes will occur. Seemingly, a unified country has always been a long term goal for

Vietnam, with not much regard to if everybody would mutually agree on the political system and

how the government would run the country. Over the years, especially very recently, many have

begun to speak out against the government, demanding change and fairness for all, in all aspects,

especially since the Communist Party of Vietnam was denying its people basic human rights and

many, many other freedoms and was also taking advantage of its citizens for monetary gain, not

caring the outcome for those affected by the tyranny and corruption.

History of Vietnam

It is said the first ruler of Vietnam, Hung Vuong, founded the nation in 2879 B.C. China would

rule the state from 111 B.C. until the 15th century. At the time it was known as Nam Viet, and the

Vietnamese people themselves are descendants from nomadic Mongols from China and migrants

from Indonesia. During the time China would rule until the 15th century, the country saw an era of

nationalistic expansion and Cambodians were pushed out of the southern area of what is now

present day Vietnam. (infoplease)

Nearly an entire century later, the Portuguese were the first of Europe to enter into the country;

but France would rise to power and establish influence within the country in the early 19th century.

In the next 80 years, France would conquer all three regions in which the country was divided;

Cochin-China in the South, Annam in the central region, and Tonkin located in the North.

(infoplease)
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By 1887, France would unify Vietnam, creating a single governor-generalship, followed by the

first physical links between the North and South with a rail-road system. In 1940, Japan would

take over military bases in Vietnam, seemingly taking advantage of the internal differences

developing among the three regions of Vietnam. When Japan took over, a pro-Vichy French

administration would remain until 1945. Ho Chi Minh, a communist leader had organized an

independence movement, which was known as the Vietminh, to exploit all the confusion

surrounding France’s weakened influence in all three regions. (infoplease) By the end of World

War II, Ho and his followers and supporters had seized Hanoi and declared a Democratic Republic

of Vietnam, with Ho Chi Minh as president that would only be short-lived and would end quickly

when French forces arrived in 1946. While Ho Chi Minh and his followers wanted a nation that

was modeled after other Communist countries, Bao Dai and many others in the country wanted a

Vietnam with close economic and cultural ties to the West.

After gaining independence, Vietnam would split into two different regions; North Vietnam and

South Vietnam. They were divided because those in power in the Northern region wanted a

communist regime and country. The north modeled their government after the USSR, which was

also a communist country. Those who lived in the southern region of Vietnam, were against

communism and didn’t want to live under communist rule; they wanted a democracy labeled after

the United States.

Paris would then propose a unified government within the French Union under the former

Annamite emperor, Bao Dai. Cochina-China and Annam would accept the proposal and Bao Dai

was then proclaimed emperor of all Vietnam in 1949. Ho Chi Minh and the Vietminh would

withhold support and the revolution happening in China gave the Vietminh the outside help that

they had needed to begin a war of resistance against the French and Vietnamese troops, who were
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armed heavily by the United States who were worried about a cold war communist expansion.

(infoplease)

North Vietnam – Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Regular Army – was a communist nation lead

by Ho Chi Minh and General Giap, and was backed and supported by the Soviet Union and China.

South Vietnam – South Vietnamese Army -, was led by Diem and the military and were backed

and supported by the United States.

Starting the Vietnam War

On May 5th, 1954, a bitter defeat at Dien Bien Phu in Northwest Vietnam, had broke the French

military campaign and resulted in the division of Vietnam. (infoplease) In the newly created South,

prime minister under Bao Dai, Ngo Dinh Diem deposed the monarchy and made himself president

in 1955. Diem had a strong United States backing and used it to create an authoritarian regime

that suppressed any and all opposition, but were unable to completely eradicate the Northern

supply Communist Viet Cong. The tensions and differences would result in a full-scale war with

escalating U.S. involvement. What would follow was a U.S. inspired military coup, would oust

Diem on November 1, 1963. The worst of the fighting during the war would occur in early 1968

during the Vietnamese New Year.

The Vietnam would last roughly 20 years and proved to be long and costly, and it pitted the North

Vietnam Communist government against South Vietnam and its principal ally in the United States.

The conflict between the two regions was only intensified by the ongoing Cold War between the

United States and the Soviet Union. During the war, more than 3 million people, including over

58,000 Americans, were killed, with more than half of them being Vietnamese civilians.
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Opposition to the war in the United States would completely and bitterly divide Americans, even

after President Richard Nixon had ordered the withdrawal of U.S. forces in 1973. Communist

forces would bring an end to the war by seizing control of South Vietnam in 1975 and the country

was unified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that following year.

The citizens of Vietnam who were pro-war, supported the war against communism, were provoked

and motivated by the United States and wanted to prove that a military with the right strategy could

defeat and stop the spread of communism. Those who were anti-war believed the war a civil war

dealing with nationalism and the United States had no right to intervene and they also believed

that the military was an industrial right.

Vietnam’s Current Political System

The current politics of Vietnam revolve around a single-party socialist republic framework, where

the President of Vietnam is the head of state and the Prime Minister of Vietnam is the head of

government. This is a one party system that is led by the Communist Party of Vietnam. The

Executive Power is exercised by the government and the President; the Legislative Power is vested

in the National assembly of Vietnam, and the Judiciary is independent of the executive power. On

November 28, 2013, Vietnam’s parliament adopted the current Constitution of Vietnam, which is

the fifth one that has been drafted. The current Constitution was adopted by the Thirteenth National

Assembly and took effect on January 1st, 2014.

The President of Vietnam gets elected by the National Assembly for a five year term and acts as

the commander-in-chief of the Vietnam People’s Armed Forces. The President also serves as

Chairman of the Council for Defense and Security. The government, which is the main executive

state power of Vietnam, is headed by the Prime Minister. The executive branch of government is
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in charge of and responsible for political, economic, cultural, social, national defense, security and

also external activities of the state.

The National Assembly is a unicameral legislative body and consists of 500 members who are

elected by popular vote to serve four year terms. According to Vietnam’s Constitution, the

legislature is the highest organ and power of the state. The Legislative powers include, enactment

of the constitution and its laws, supervising the Government of Vietnam, and other holders of

public power, and also includes appointing members of the Judiciary. The Constitution of Vietnam

and its current legislation are to provide for regular elections for the office of the President of the

Socialist Republic, the National Assembly, and the People’s Council.

The Supreme People’s Court is the highest court of appeal in Vietnam; and there are other

specialized courts that include the Central Military Court, the Criminal Court, the Civil Court and

the Appeal Court.

The country of Vietnam is a one-party Communist State and also has one of South East Asia’s

fastest growing economies. Vietnam is determined to become a completely developed nation by

the year 2020. The country once again became a unified nation in 1975 when the Northern

Communist armed forces would seize control of the Southern region of Vietnam. The population

of Vietnam is 92 million citizen’s, the country’s major language is Vietnamese, the dominant

religion is Buddhism, life expectancy for men is about 73 years, and for women, its 81 years. The

currency of Vietnam is the Dong, the United Nations and the World Bank. Because of the

Communist rule in current Vietnam, they still control who can and cannot run for elections or enact

policies they agree with. The Communist Party seemingly controls everything revolving around
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who runs the country and for how long. This may/can cause anarchy as the citizens who want

change are not being heard by their government.

Political Culture of Vietnam

The political culture of Vietnam is determined by a number of factors in which communism is at

the center. The political tradition of the country is applying borrowed ideas to indigenous

conditions and in many different ways, Marxism represents a new way to express old, but

consistent cultural orientations.

The most major and significant influences of the Vietnamese political culture were of Chinese

origins; a hierarchy culture that would later rub off on Vietnam’s policies in the future, influencing

the government and how it was run before succumbing to communism in the north. The main

political institutions of Vietnam had been forged by 1,000 years of Chinese rule. The Chinese

system was based mostly on Confucianism and had established a political center by loyal and

dedicated subjects.

Those who had ruled did so with the “mandate of heaven”, although these rulers were not

themselves considered to be divine. They did however, rule by divine right by reason of their

virtue, which was manifested by compassion for the welfare of the people. A monarch that had

possessed these traits of compassion would gain unconditional loyalty from the subjects. The

selection of bureaucratic officials was based solely on the basis of civil service instead of heredity.

Government institutions in the country were viewed as conduits for the superior wisdom of the

rulers.

The political culture in Vietnam is gradually transforming from totalitarianism to pluralism. This

is happening due to an emerging and independent civil society that is openly challenging the
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communist party rule. (Nguyen) The best example of this opposition is a petition that was signed

by Group 72, a movement consisting of nationally well-known personalities, intellectuals, party

members and retired high-ranking officials of the communist government. (Nguyen) In 2013,

Group 72 had submitted their own Western-style version draft constitution to the Vietnamese

legislature and in the document, they requested a multi-party and inclusive election, and even

called for Vietnam to transform the country from a one-party state to a democracy.

Since the movement started by Group 72, many other movements in Vietnam have come forward,

which include, Declaration of Free Citizens; Declaration 258, which was started by a group of

bloggers. Many more recent movements have included an open letter that circulated around the

internet, was written by a veteran communist party member calling for the founding of a new

political party that could compete with the Communist Party of Vietnam. (Nguyen)

Many of the dissenting members of civil society are Communist Party of Vietnam members who

once held senior offices in government are speaking out because they are frustrated by the decline

of Vietnam. As of 2013, it had been 70 years since the Communist Party took power in the north

of Vietnam. Approximately 38 years since it took over the country, and never in that time has its

ruling and legitimacy been challenged until now. The reason for the opposition and uprising is due

to the fact that the communist party is and has been failing its people. (Nguyen)

There are several reasons for the failure of the communist party, one which has to do with how

corruption is rampant in Vietnam, but is not addressed effectively. The government in Vietnam is

built on patron-client relationships. Another reason members are speaking out has to do with the

authorities evicting people from their land for construction projects, even though farmers account
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for 80% of Vietnam’s population and are loyal believers of the Communist Party. Land in Vietnam

is owned by the people, but managed by the state. (Nguyen)

In addition to corruption and forcing citizens from their land, human rights and freedoms are being

violated, including the right of demonstrators protesting China’s aggressive movement in the South

China Sea. The economy of Vietnam is also at risk of sliding into a deep stagnation.

Civil society activists point out that all these problems surrounding Vietnam are institutional

problems. The productivity of the labor force is being repressed because human creativity and

freedoms are not and cannot flourish. Many believe and point out that only when the party-state

transforms to a pluralist democracy will Vietnam escape the social and economic crises it is

currently facing. (Nguyen)

Civil Society

The broad based political organization of the Communist Party of Vietnam combined with the

tradition of a one party state allowed little to no space for growth of an independent civil society.

(Sabharwal & Huong) Since the political and economic context is rapidly changing and is

characterized by opening up the economy and a move towards global integration; it has led to the

emergence of social groups outside the communist party. Vietnam can be described as as

characterized by a low, but increasing tolerance of civil activity, although civil society remains a

po The Communist Party of Vietnam maintained its power and control over all public affairs and

would punish those who challenged its monopoly. In 2016, authorities would restrict basic rights,

which included freedom of speech, opinion, association and assembly. All religious groups were

required to register with the country’s government and had to operate under surveillance. (Thinh)
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Bloggers and activists would face daily harassment and intimidation from police, and were also

subjected to arbitrary house arrest, restricted movement and physical assaults. Many of them would

end up detained for long periods of time without any access to legal counsel or even family visits.

The number of bloggers and activists that were known to be convicted and sentenced to prison

would almost triple from the previous year of 2016, from 7 to at least 19. (Thinh)

The Vietnamese government is known to frequently use vaguely worded penal code provisions to

crackdown on dissent, which included “undermining national unity”, “conducting propaganda

against the state”, and “abusing the rights to democracy and freedom to infringe upon the interests

of the state”. (Thinh) litically sensitive issue. (Sabharwal & Huong)

It has been proven that the existence of civil society and its vibrant activism contribute to a nation’s

development and democratization. With the help of social media networks, in recent years, citizens

in Vietnam are more updated and engaged in public affairs and are even more likely to challenge

the legitimacy of the government and the communist party’s monopoly rule. (Nguyen) These

communities are engaging in activities, such as calling for demonstrations and protests or exposing

corruption.

This has many believing that a civil society already does exist and that democratization is coming

in the two regions. For both civil society to operate and democratization to occur, there must be

things like freedom of association, freedom of speech and independent press, and unfortunately,

many theorists in most western civil societies, would agree that all of these are absent from

Vietnam.
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Many know they cannot be too optimistic about the existence and ongoing democratization in

Vietnam, but there is no doubt there is a solid foundation for change and it is only a matter of time

before Vietnam will eventually make these changes away from the communist party to keep

developing and becoming a more stable country.

Despite being a one-party state, Vietnam’s political system has often been responsive to peasants,

workers and others who are pushing for better economic, social and political conditions.

(Kerkvliet) As of 2012, it has been unclear whether the Vietnamese Communist Party and its

government are responding appropriately to the mounting demands to further improve the majority

of the people’s lives. There has been very clear evidence of demands and have become far more

vocal in recent years, compared to what it was in the mid-70s to the mid-90s when Vietnamese

citizens very rarely would openly voice discontent.

In Vietnam, the electoral system consists of the President being elected by the National Assembly

and serves a 5 year term. The Prime Minister is appointed by the president, and inside the National

Assembly is 500 members elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system to also

serve 5 year terms.

In modern day times, disgusted and angry citizens are demonstrating almost daily at government

and Communist Party offices in Hanoi, and other places. Many citizens will travel long distances

in hopes of making provincial and national authorities to listen to their complaints, read their

petitions, and respond favorably to their criticisms. (Kerkvliet)

During these demonstrations, which can range from only a dozen, to many thousands, participants

will hold placards, wave around banners and distribute lists of complaints to anybody passing by

or even within reach. The majority of these criticisms are against local and provincial officials who
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will seize their farmlands while paying miniscule compensation, and then will give their property

to investors and developers in exchange for huge amounts of money and other benefits. (Kerkvliet)

The demonstrators share a common belief that these corrupt officials are stealing not just the

people’s lands, but also their livelihoods. Nationalists are lambasting the Vietnamese government

for appearing to do nothing in significance to counter Chinese incursions into Vietnamese territory

and the exploitation of Vietnam’s natural resources.

Political Economy & Economic Growth

In the first 20 years of economic renovation, the transition economy of Vietnam had enjoyed many

remarkable achievements, from 1986 to 2006. The economy would grow at an average annual rate

of 7.5% from 1991-2000. The Amended Constitution of 1992 would recognize the role of private

sector in the economy. (Vuong) Vietnam’s stock market would make its debut in trading in 2000,

and the U.S.-Vietnam Trade Bilateral Agreement was signed in 2001. Along with the impressive

economic achievements, Vietnam had also seen its diplomatic and political status was constantly

being improved in the international arena.

In 1986, the economic reforms initiated in Vietnam, known as Doi Moi, had a goal of creating a

socialist-oriented market economy. The communist government in the north and the Democratic

Republic of Vietnam in the south, would adopt a centrally planned economy. Under the command

economy, the central government decided to output targets and prices, input supplies, domestic

wholesale and retail trade and also international trade. The state of Vietnam was aiming to create

a vertically integrated economy.

By then, Vietnam had established diplomatic relations with more than 170 countries around the

world, strategic partnerships with 12 important economies, both developed and emerging. Vietnam
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would also successfully host important events, which included the Asia Pacific Economic

Cooperation in 2006.

Since 2008, Vietnam’s Gross Domestic Product pace of expansion has slowed down significantly,

with the rate declining to 5% in 2012, which is the lowest level its hit in 13 years. The macro

economy faced paramount turbulence, large trade deficit, high inflation, overwhelming business

closures, rampant corruption and transparency problems, downgrading environment, and

sovereignty confrontation with China in the South China Sea. (Vuong) In Vietnam’s history, it had

barely seen economic prosperity that lasted for decades. Up until the early twentieth century, the

feudalist nation was a small and outdated agrarian country with continuous wars and constant

invasions from the North –mostly China and Mongolia- and other conflicts with its South West

neighbor of Cambodia. (Vuong)

In 1989, Vietnam had quickly grown to become the world’s third largest rice exporter, following

China and the United States. The policy-makers had been the core element to bring about change

in macroeconomic management in the 1990s although the Communist Party of Vietnan had

reserved staus quo as the unique ruler. (Vuong)

The United States expressed commercial interest in Vietnam’s growing economy and strategic

political interests to work with allies and friends in order “to promote stability and development

by integrating Vietnam more fully into existing East Asian Order”. (Vuong) Over $10 billion U.S.

dollars from the FBI had entered the country in 1996 together with billions of dollars also coming

from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Vietnam’s Gross Domestic Product would

grow at 9.5% and 9.3% annually in 1995 and 1996, the highest rates recorded in the post Doi Moi

period. (Vuong)
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Integration in the international markets brought about new market opportunities and would help

the country to deepen its reform. This would also expose the country to some contagious risks, and

although less hurt by the Asian financial crisis in 1998 than other major Asian economies, Vietnam

would still experience GDP growth decline to 4.7%. (Vuong)

With an average GDP growth of 7.5% in the period of 2000 to 2005 and ranking at 58 th largest

economy in the world in 2006, Vietnam would look little compared to other economies in

Southeast Asia. The rapid growth rate would succumb to a ‘resource curse’ problem as evidence

would show that the economic growth heavily relied on overconsumption of physical assets and

capital endowments while innovation and productivity were not the main focus. This would

ultimately lead to a decline in competitiveness.

As a result of a slowdown in economic growth, growing unemployment, and social unrest,

Vietnam faces renewed challenges for further reform. The country at this point faces two different

options: the country continues with the same pace of change and risk falling economically behind

neighboring countries, or to undertake a more radical economic reform and possibly risk losing

control of the country. Evidence has recently suggested that prescription for economic reforms

cannot be carried out effectively without modernizing the Communist Party of Vietnam’s political

decision-making progress.

Amidst strengthening recovery in the global economy since late 2016, Vietnam’s Gross Domestic

Product had expanded by 5.7% during the first half of 2017, all while inflation has so far moderated

and the core inflation remains fairly low at less than 2%. (Ngan)

According to the latest World Bank bi-annual economic report on Vietnam, the service sector –

which accounts for approximately 42% of the GDP- had accelerated in 2017, and was driven by
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retail trade growth, as a result of sustained growth of domestic consumption. Industrial growth

remains robust, even though there has been a significant reduction of output in the oil sector, and

growth has begun to gradually recover in agriculture, although the recovery is still considered

fragile. (Ngan)

The monetary policy continues to balance the growth and stability objectives, with low interest

rates and rapid credit growth of about 20%. The same report notes that after a large surplus in

2016, the external current account balance of Vietnam started to decline in early 2017, which was

due to an expected recovery in import growth. (Ngan)

Looking to the future, Vietnam’s medium-term outlook remains positive, with real Gross Domestic

Product growth expected to accelerate slightly to 6.3% in 2017, which is a result of buoyant

domestic demand, rebounding agricultural production, and strong export-oriented manufacturing,

which was aided by a recovery in external demand. (Ngan) Inflation is expected to remain

moderate, reflecting a more stable core inflation, lower food and energy prices and diminishing

administrative price hikes. The most current account is expected to remain a surplus, at a lower

level as stronger import growth resumes. Over this current medium-term, Vietnam’s growth is

projected to stabilize at approximately 6.4% in 2018 to 2019, accompanied by broad

macroeconomic stability. (Ngan)

The more long term challenge for Vietnam is to be able to sustain rapid growth and poverty

reduction. Considerable gains are achievable from structural reforms that would alleviate

constraints on productivity growth, further improvements in the business environment, and

improved factor markets for land and capital. (Ngan)

Conclusion
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In early 2017, drought had affected farming, while mining had faced high production costs and

declining sales prices abroad. (Jennings) In January 2018, United States President Donald Trump

made the decision to withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership pact, which would further whack

Vietnam as a signatory and major exporter. Policymakers then feared that the country would miss

their growth targets. These setbacks would be seen as blips for Vietnam’s overall $202 billion

Gross Domestic Product. The Communist Vietnam that had opened to foreign investments in 1986,

is still seeing success and buildup of that capital from offshore. (Jennings) Many foreign investors

involved in places like electronics and polyester yarn factories still favor Vietnam due to its low

costs, abundance of labor, and the country’s matter-of-fact permitting process. This continued

growth has also helped in making people more wealthy, with just 13.5% of the population in

poverty. (Jennings)

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, registered foreign investment had increased

44% year-on-year up through to December to a total of $29.68 billion. Foreign operated factories

make their goods mainly for exports and exports in Vietnam had risen 23% to $155.24 billion over

most of 2017. Most of Vietnam’s offshore investments comes from South Korea, Singapore, Japan,

and Taiwan, all places where manufacturing costs more than in Vietnam. (Jennings)

Investors usually look for a labor force that is young, and can be trained easily, and who are willing

to work for a minimum wage of $172 per month. About 60% of the 93 million Vietnamese citizens

are of working age. Vietnam has been poised to remain among the world’s fastest growing

economies as new factories open and direct foreign investment rises. (Uyen) In July of 2017, the

central bank cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time in three years, giving the economy

yet another boost. (Uyen)

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Vietnam’s government plans to lower the banks’ lending rates and will ensure fund availability for

loans to companies, while also controlling the credit quality. Authorities also plan to tighten up

their control to narrow the trade deficit while boosting Vietnam’s domestic sales. Vu Hong Thanh,

who is the head of the National Assembly’s Economic Committee, stated that the government also

“needs to ensure it can control inflation and continue to improve the investment climate for

businesses”. Thanh also said that officials must also avoid risks such as fueling a bubble in the

stock and property markets and must also quicken restructuring of state companies.

Although Vietnam has experienced impressive and substantial growth economically over the last

few years, it would seem they still need a lot of growth when it comes to politics, government and

the way the country is being run. Many who oppose the Communist Party of Vietnam, those who

speak out against the government and those who are seeking freedom of speech or freedom of

religion are being persecuted within the country. They are continually harassed and monitored,

taking away their privacy and rights. The government cracks down on those who don’t share the

same values or beliefs.

The persecution and unfairness doesn’t seem to stop those who want change within Vietnam, as

they continue to fight, protest and demonstrate the government’s tactics. The Communist Party of

Vietnam is and has been in full and complete control of the country and uses fear and corruption

to their advantage. They want to and plan to continue to stay in power in Vietnam, with unity still

being a main goal despite how so many are against the Communist Party and believe the country

could thrive even more if they would adopt a democratic regime.

Many do hope that Vietnam can make a more political change to keep up with how well the

economy is doing. Vietnam has been proven to have a had a rough time since its official creation,
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having always been ruled under another country and not having much of their own independence

or being able to instill their own traditions and values.

When the Communist Party first came to light in Vietnam, it was to fight back against those who

ruled, it was a way to drive out foreign forces in the country to finally become their own Nation

up until when the Vietnam War would break out, due to conflicting beliefs over how Vietnam

should be run.

Vietnam seemingly is trying to change despite the harassment and intimidation, but the country

still has a very long way to go in creating a new government, that could hopefully go back to

revolving around the welfare of its citizens, instead of focusing on making money and oppressing

those with a voice and strong opinions on government. Since Vietnam broke free of Chinese and

French rule, things would take a drastic turn for the citizens who had freedoms and human rights.

Things seemed peaceful, with both regimes having a significant amount of loyal followers and

supporters. Once the country adopted Communist traits from other countries, mainly heavily

influenced by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, everything would seemingly decline and

Vietnam wouldn’t and still may not be considered a developed or strong state.

After things in Vietnam would continue to get worse, especially during the 20 year Vietnam War

that would change the whole dynamic of the Republic of Vietnam and enter into a state of failure.

The failure would consist of citizens being taken advantage of and deprived of what they all knew

they deserved.

These activists don’t plan on abandoning their beliefs and continue to hope that their home country

of Vietnam could eventually become better, greater and more successful than it already is and they
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are hoping the Communist Party can one day make the political change it unfortunately,

desperately needs.

©2000-2017 Sandbox Networks, Inc., publishing as Infoplease.

1 Apr. 2018 <https://www.infoplease.com/country/vietnam/>.

Hai Hong Nguyen, “Vietnamese Civil Society Bringing Political Change, 2013

Gita Sabharwal & Than Thi Thien Huong, “Civil Society In Vietnam”, 2005
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Hai Hong Nguyen, “Civil Society and Democratization in Vietnam”,

Benedict J. Tria Kerkvliet, “Reconsidering Vietnam’s Political System”, 2012

Quan Hoang Vuong, “Vietnam’s Political Economy in Transition 1989-2006”, 2014

Nguyen Hong Ngan, “Vietnam’s Economy Shows Fundamental Strength, With Stable and

Positive Medium Term Outlook”, 2017

Ralph Jennings, “Vietnam’s Economic Growth Will Accelerate in 2018”, 2017

Nguyen Diem Tu Uyen, “Vietnam Forecasts 6.7% Economic Growth in 2018”, 2017

Nguyen Tien Thinh, “Vietnam Events of 2016”, 2016