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per 1,000 people. Television broadcast stations numbered at least seven in 1998.
per 1,000 people. Television broadcast stations numbered at least seven in 1998.
== GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ==
== GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ==
'''Government Overview:''' The Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) has a monopoly on power. A
Government Overview: The Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) has a monopoly on power. A
three-person collective leadership consists of the VCP general secretary, the prime minister, and
three-person collective leadership consists of the VCP general secretary, the prime minister, and
the president. President Tran Duc Luong is the chief of state, while Prime Minister Phan Van
the president. President Tran Duc Luong is the chief of state, while Prime Minister Phan Van
Khai is head of government. General Secretary Nong Duc Manh heads up not only the VCP but
Khai is head of government. General Secretary Nong Duc Manh heads up not only the VCP but
also the 15-member Politburo. A decision by any member of the triumvirate is vetted by the
also the 15-member Politburo. A decision by any member of the triumvirate is vetted by the
other two. As a result, policy announcements tend to be bland and equivocal.
other two. As a result, policy announcements tend to be bland and equivocal.
In July 2002, the National Assembly voted to keep Prime Minister Khai and President Luong in
In July 2002, the National Assembly voted to keep Prime Minister Khai and President Luong in
apparent. The mechanism for transfers of power suffers from a lack of transparency.
apparent. The mechanism for transfers of power suffers from a lack of transparency.
Constitution: Vietnam has had a series of constitutions, introduced in 1946, 1959, 1980, and
'''Constitution:''' Vietnam has had a series of constitutions, introduced in 1946, 1959, 1980, and
1992. As of late 2004, the Vietnamese constitution is regarded as the 1992 document, as
1992. As of late 2004, the Vietnamese constitution is regarded as the 1992 document, as
amended in 2001 to continue the reform of the state apparatus, to allow more leeway to the
amended in 2001 to continue the reform of the state apparatus, to allow more leeway to the
the private sector. Individuals were permitted to acquire lengthy land leases. Foreign investors
the private sector. Individuals were permitted to acquire lengthy land leases. Foreign investors
were granted ownership rights and protection against nationalization.
were granted ownership rights and protection against nationalization.
In 2001 the constitution was amended to increase the role of the National Assembly by giving it
In 2001 the constitution was amended to increase the role of the National Assembly by giving it
handicapped.
handicapped.
Branches of Government: The constitution recognizes the National Assembly as “the highest
'''Branches of Government:''' The constitution recognizes the National Assembly as “the highest
organ of state power.” The National Assembly, a 498-member unicameral body elected to a five-
organ of state power.” The National Assembly, a 498-member unicameral body elected to a five-
year term, meets twice a year. The assembly appoints the president (chief of state), the prime
year term, meets twice a year. The assembly appoints the president (chief of state), the prime
Politburo at national party congresses held every five years. Members of the party hold all senior
Politburo at national party congresses held every five years. Members of the party hold all senior
government positions.
government positions.
The Vietnamese government has ministers in the following areas: agriculture and rural
The Vietnamese government has ministers in the following areas: agriculture and rural
development; construction; culture and information; education and training; finance; foreign
development; construction; culture and information; education and training; finance; foreign
affairs; industry; interior; justice; labor, war invalids, and social affairs; marine products;
affairs; industry; interior; justice; labor, war invalids, and social affairs; marine products;
national defense; planning and investment; public health; science, technology and environment;
national defense; planning and investment; public health; science, technology and environment;
trade; and transport and communications.
trade; and transport and communications.
Administrative Divisions: Administratively, Vietnam consists of 59 provinces and 5
'''Administrative Divisions:''' Administratively, Vietnam consists of 59 provinces and 5
municipalities. The provinces are An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-
municipalities. The provinces are An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-
Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dac
Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dac
Haiphong, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh.
Haiphong, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh.
Provincial and Local Government: Provinces and municipalities are subdivided into towns,
'''Provincial and Local Government:''' Provinces and municipalities are subdivided into towns,
districts, and villages. The provinces and municipalities are centrally controlled by the national
districts, and villages. The provinces and municipalities are centrally controlled by the national
government. The towns, districts, and villages are locally accountable to some degree through
government. The towns, districts, and villages are locally accountable to some degree through
elected people’s councils.
elected people’s councils.
Judicial and Legal System: At the apex of the judicial system is the Supreme People’s Court
'''Judicial and Legal System:''' At the apex of the judicial system is the Supreme People’s Court
(SPC), which is the highest court for appeal and review. The SPC reports to the National
(SPC), which is the highest court for appeal and review. The SPC reports to the National
Assembly, which controls the judiciary’s budget and confirms the president’s nominees to the
Assembly, which controls the judiciary’s budget and confirms the president’s nominees to the
as civil courts. Military judges and assessors are selected by the MOD and SPC, but the SPC has
as civil courts. Military judges and assessors are selected by the MOD and SPC, but the SPC has
supervisory responsibility.
supervisory responsibility.
Although the constitution provides for independent judges and lay assessors (who lack
Although the constitution provides for independent judges and lay assessors (who lack
corruption and drug trafficking.
corruption and drug trafficking.
Electoral System: Vietnam has universal suffrage at age 18. Elections for the National
'''Electoral System:''' Vietnam has universal suffrage at age 18. Elections for the National
Assembly are scheduled every five years. The last election was held on May 19, 2002. The next
Assembly are scheduled every five years. The last election was held on May 19, 2002. The next
election is scheduled in 2007. In addition, elections to the people’s councils (local assemblies)
election is scheduled in 2007. In addition, elections to the people’s councils (local assemblies)
were last held in April 2004. Although candidates are carefully vetted, about 25 percent of those
were last held in April 2004. Although candidates are carefully vetted, about 25 percent of those
elected were not members of the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP). By a law enacted in
elected were not members of the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP). By a law enacted in
2003, each district has at least two more candidates than the number of elected positions.
2003, each district has at least two more candidates than the number of elected positions.
Politics/Political Parties: Vietnam is a one-party state. The Vietnamese Communist Party
'''Politics/Political Parties:''' Vietnam is a one-party state. The Vietnamese Communist Party
(VCP) has a monopoly on power.
(VCP) has a monopoly on power.
Mass Media: Vietnam’s mass media are supervised by the Ministry of Culture and Information
'''Mass Media:''' Vietnam’s mass media are supervised by the Ministry of Culture and Information
and communicate officially approved information. The government has shut down non-
and communicate officially approved information. The government has shut down non-
compliant newspapers. Only senior officials are permitted access to foreign television via
compliant newspapers. Only senior officials are permitted access to foreign television via
for violating restrictions on Internet access, including the viewing of pornography.
for violating restrictions on Internet access, including the viewing of pornography.
Foreign Relations: During its incursion into Cambodia in 1978–89, Vietnam was isolated
'''Foreign Relations:''' During its incursion into Cambodia in 1978–89, Vietnam was isolated
internationally. However, soon after the conflict was resolved in the Paris Agreement on
internationally. However, soon after the conflict was resolved in the Paris Agreement on
Cambodia in October 1991, Vietnam established or reestablished diplomatic and economic
Cambodia in October 1991, Vietnam established or reestablished diplomatic and economic
Cooperation forum (APEC) in 1998. Vietnam’s foreign policy is aimed at developing good
Cooperation forum (APEC) in 1998. Vietnam’s foreign policy is aimed at developing good
relations with a diversified mix of nations.
relations with a diversified mix of nations.
In February 1994, the United States lifted its economic embargo against Vietnam, and in June
In February 1994, the United States lifted its economic embargo against Vietnam, and in June
Second Indochina War, but the United States did not endorse Vietnam’s bid to join the World
Second Indochina War, but the United States did not endorse Vietnam’s bid to join the World
Trade Organization (WTO) during the visit.
Trade Organization (WTO) during the visit.
Ideological affinities are driving improved relations with China, and trade between the nations
Ideological affinities are driving improved relations with China, and trade between the nations
Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, and this dispute is a potential source of renewed tension.
Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, and this dispute is a potential source of renewed tension.
Vietnam enjoys a good political and economic relationship with Japan, and the two countries are
Vietnam enjoys a good political and economic relationship with Japan, and the two countries are
partnering to exploit the disputed offshore oil fields in the South China Sea. At a meeting in
partnering to exploit the disputed offshore oil fields in the South China Sea. At a meeting in
Vietnam. Japan also offered support for Vietnam’s bid to join the WTO. In December 2004,
Vietnam. Japan also offered support for Vietnam’s bid to join the WTO. In December 2004,
Japan announced a grant of US$19 million to fight poverty in Vietnam.
Japan announced a grant of US$19 million to fight poverty in Vietnam.
Russia’s predecessor state, the Soviet Union, was a longstanding ally and a major investor.
Russia’s predecessor state, the Soviet Union, was a longstanding ally and a major investor.
such as rice and coffee.
such as rice and coffee.
Membership in International Organizations: Vietnam is a member of the Asian Development
'''Membership in International Organizations:''' Vietnam is a member of the Asian Development
Bank, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the International Monetary Fund, the
Bank, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the International Monetary Fund, the
United Nations, and the World Health Organization. Reflecting Vietnam’s recognition of its
United Nations, and the World Health Organization. Reflecting Vietnam’s recognition of its
(ASEAN). Now an observer at the World Trade Organization (WTO), Vietnam hopes to become
(ASEAN). Now an observer at the World Trade Organization (WTO), Vietnam hopes to become
a full member of the WTO in 2006.
a full member of the WTO in 2006.
Other memberships include the Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic and Social
Other memberships include the Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic and Social
Federation of Trade Unions, and World Intellectual Property Organization.
Federation of Trade Unions, and World Intellectual Property Organization.
Major International Treaties: With the United States, Vietnam reached the following
'''Major International Treaties:''' With the United States, Vietnam reached the following
agreements: Normalization of Relations (1995), Bilateral Trade (2001), and Counternarcotics,
agreements: Normalization of Relations (1995), Bilateral Trade (2001), and Counternarcotics,
Civil Aviation, and Textiles (2003). With China, Vietnam reached a Land Border Agreement
Civil Aviation, and Textiles (2003). With China, Vietnam reached a Land Border Agreement
Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (2002). With Russia, Vietnam agreed to a Strategic
Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (2002). With Russia, Vietnam agreed to a Strategic
Partnership (2001).
Partnership (2001).
Aside from these bilateral agreements, Vietnam is a signatory to numerous international
Aside from these bilateral agreements, Vietnam is a signatory to numerous international
Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques (1978), Convention on Early
Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques (1978), Convention on Early
Notification of a Nuclear Accident (1986), Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear
Notification of a Nuclear Accident (1986), Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear
Accident or Radiological Emergency (1987), Convention for Protection of the Ozone Layer
Accident or Radiological Emergency (1987), Convention for Protection of the Ozone Layer
(1988), Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1989), and United
(1988), Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1989), and United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1994).
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1994).
== NATIONAL SECURITY ==
== NATIONAL SECURITY ==