This blog brings together study resources on growth and development issues for the emerging Vietnamese economy. After many years of rapid growth, the socialist-oriented transition economy is entering a slowdown phase with growth of less than 5% in part because the boom in cheap low-value added manufacturing built on low wages is hard to sustain. Other economists point to endemic inefficiency among state-owned enterprises as a key factor holding back potential growth in a country once described as "little China".

One bright spot is that Vietnam has surpassed Brazil to become the largest coffee exporter in the world.

Recent trends in real GDP growth and inflation for Vietnam

Sources of research and data:

World Bank - Vietnam

World Trade Organisation - Vietnam

Human Development Indicators for Vietnam

IMF Reports on Vietnam

Linda Yueh - Vietnam Growth Slows Down (August 2013)

See also "Vietnam needs to find a new growth path" (BBC)

Justin Rowlatt visits Vietnam

Coffee beans perk up the Vietnamese economy