Vietnam: Asia's Rising Star

Book excerpt: The drivers behind the world's most exciting growth story. For more than 25 years, Vietnam has been one of the most dynamic countries in the world in terms of GDP growth, trade, investment, and other business metrics. The key question is whether or not the country can continue this growth for another 25 years. If it can, Vietnam will become a high-income country like South Korea and Taiwan, the original Tiger Economies of Asia. Engaging in conversations about Vietnam’s future is challenging. Locals are often too focused on the present while foreigners are caught up in legacy and political issues of the past. Many observers also focus on the short term, a specific economic metric, or inevitably Vietnam’s political system without considering the big picture or recognizing long term trends. The authors researched and analyzed a broad range of drivers to assess a possible future for Vietnam, and Vietnam – Asia’s Rising Star is the result of these efforts. What Others Are Saying “Vietnam – Asia’s Rising Star should be read by anyone with an interest in Vietnam and anyone else with an interest in the future of Asia.” —Carlyle A Thayer, professor emeritus, University of New South Wales, Canberra