The Asia Foundation

This report is part of a broader research and publication project on U.S.-Vietnam relations being conducted by The Asia Foundation in cooperation with Vietnam’s Institute for International Relations (IIR), with funding support from the...

This report is part of a broader research and publication project on U.S.-Vietnam relations being conducted by The Asia Foundation in cooperation with Vietnam’s Institute for International Relations (IIR), with funding support from the Henry Luce Foundation. A second volume will address regional and global factors, and a third will summarize the research findings and recommend next steps for improved policies and cooperation.

This report is part of a larger research and education project on U.S.-Vietnam relations being conducted by The Asia Foundation in collaboration with Vietnam’s Institute for International Relations (IIR). The project’s basic...

This report is part of a larger research and education project on U.S.-Vietnam relations being conducted by The Asia Foundation in collaboration with Vietnam’s Institute for International Relations (IIR). The project’s basic purpose is to examine various dimensions of the Vietnamese-American bilateral relationship, especially in the context of economic normalization between the two countries and a changing international environment in the Asia-Pacific region.

This report summarizes the discussion and conclusions of a U.S.-Vietnam dialogue held in Washington, D.C. in December 2004. Vietnamese and American representatives from the executive, legislative, business, non-governmental and academic...

This report summarizes the discussion and conclusions of a U.S.-Vietnam dialogue held in Washington, D.C. in December 2004. Vietnamese and American representatives from the executive, legislative, business, non-governmental and academic sectors participated in the conference. Its objective was to assess the bilateral relationship at the 10-year mark after normalization, and to offer recommendations to improve relations. The meeting was the final activity in a research and education project on U.S.-Vietnam relations conducted
by The Asia Foundation in collaboration with Vietnam’s Institute for International Relations (IIR). The project’s ultimate goal is to promote a deeper understanding among Americans and Vietnamese on domestic and international factors that affect bilateral relations, encouraging more informed policymaking in the two countries.

The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program has operated in Vietnam since 1993 through a partnership with the National Library in Hanoi. Over the past five years, the Foundation has provided approximately 160,000 volumes to Vietnam to...

The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program has operated in Vietnam since 1993 through a partnership with the National Library in Hanoi. Over the past five years, the Foundation has provided approximately 160,000 volumes to Vietnam to more than 100 institutions throughout the country, with an additional 120,000 expected to be shipped over the next three years, with a total value of $4.5 million.

On December 15, 2005, a court trial was held in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, to prosecute a human trafficking case. A 20-year-old girl named Thuy, herself a former victim of trafficking, was accused of trafficking 27 women and children. Four...

On December 15, 2005, a court trial was held in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, to prosecute a human trafficking case. A 20-year-old girl named Thuy, herself a former victim of trafficking, was accused of trafficking 27 women and children. Four victims from Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province escaped and were rescued, and subsequently served as witnesses testifying against the accused trafficker. The trafficker was convicted and sentenced to 24 years of imprisonment, and was ordered to compensate the victims for the mental and physical trauma endured.

The Asia Foundation supports initiatives to strengthen institutional and human resource capacity, public-private partnerships, and policy reform in the fields of governance and law. Through a combination of grants and technical assistance, the...

The Asia Foundation supports initiatives to strengthen institutional and human resource capacity, public-private partnerships, and policy reform in the fields of governance and law. Through a combination of grants and technical assistance, the Foundation assists organizations throughout Asia on a range of critical issues, including national and local governance, legislative development, elections, access to justice, and conflict resolution.

With the advent of the policy of renovation (doi moi) in 1986, Vietnam has been able to achieve a consistently high level of GDP growth in the past decade (8.4 percent in 2005) and effectively address the problem of poverty. Much of this...

With the advent of the policy of renovation (doi moi) in 1986, Vietnam has been able to achieve a consistently high level of GDP growth in the past decade (8.4 percent in 2005) and effectively address the problem of poverty. Much of this explosive economic growth is a direct result of the government’s practical economic reforms to encourage private sector growth. Since the implementation of the Enterprise Law in 2000, Vietnam has registered more than 120,000 formal private companies, six times the number registered in the nine years before the law’s enactment. Yet, the benefits of Vietnam’s rapid economic growth have not been spread evenly across the country.

The Asia Foundation is a leader in the fight against trafficking in persons in Asia, one of the most egregious human rights abuses in the region. In Vietnam, women and children are trafficked to China, Cambodia, Taiwan, and South Korea for...

The Asia Foundation is a leader in the fight against trafficking in persons in Asia, one of the most egregious human rights abuses in the region. In Vietnam, women and children are trafficked to China, Cambodia, Taiwan, and South Korea for sexual exploitation, forced marriages, labor in sweatshops, and/or domestic servitude; and the number of trafficking victims increases annually. Even when these victims manage to return to Vietnam, they face tremendous difficulty in reintegrating into their communities. Stigmatized by society and traumatized by their experience, they generally do not have the education and skills necessary for gainful employment. These women are at a high risk of being re-trafficked.

The Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) was developed by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and USAIDfunded Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI) in 2005, to assess and rank 42 provincial governments by their...

The Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) was developed by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and USAIDfunded Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI) in 2005, to assess and rank 42 provincial governments by their regulatory environments for private sector development, while controlling for differences in their initial endowments. The index attracted considerable attention from various stakeholders, including the business community, media, donor community, and the provinces themselves. Most impressive has been the positive actions undertaken by a number of provincial authorities to use the PCI to better identify and understand the problems confronting the private sector, and to improve their treatment of such businesses.

In 2005 the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) was developed by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the USAID-fund- ed Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI) to assess and rank 42 provincial governments by their...

In 2005 the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) was developed by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the USAID-fund- ed Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative (VNCI) to assess and rank 42 provincial governments by their regulatory environments for private sector develop- ment, controlling for differences in initial endow- ments. The index attracted considerable attention from various stakeholders including the business community, the media, the donor community and of course the provinces themselves. Most impressive has been the positive actions undertaken by a num- ber of provincial authorities to use the PCI to under- stand the problems confronting the private sector and to improve their treatment of business.

The Asia Foundation’s international relations program in Vietnam strengthens and improves U.S.- Vietnam relations by convening bilateral conferences, organizing research placements for visiting American and Vietnamese scholars, and...

The Asia Foundation’s international relations program in Vietnam strengthens and improves U.S.- Vietnam relations by convening bilateral conferences, organizing research placements for visiting American and Vietnamese scholars, and supporting the development of Vietnamese Studies in the United States. One of the keys to fostering a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the United States in Vietnam is helping Vietnamese universities to develop and expand their emerging American Studies programs.

The 2007 PCI survey - the third annual edition - is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of provincial governments based on the views expressed by over 6,700 entrepreneurs and managers of small and...

The 2007 PCI survey - the third annual edition - is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of provincial governments based on the views expressed by over 6,700 entrepreneurs and managers of small and medium (SME) enterprises across Vietnam's 64 provinces.

A nonprofit sector governance guide for NGOs and civil society groups in Vietnam to provide them with a broader understanding of civil society development issues in general and in Vietnam in particular; and to provide clear guidance on the...

A nonprofit sector governance guide for NGOs and civil society groups in Vietnam to provide them with a broader understanding of civil society development issues in general and in Vietnam in particular; and to provide clear guidance on the critical elements affecting the establishment and operations of a strong and credible civil society organization - from internal governance issues, to fundraising, to human resources.

Lessons learned and practical experiences for future program design and implementation. 2002-2008. The report features an overview culled from The Foundation's experience in implementing program interventions in collaboration with an expanding...

Lessons learned and practical experiences for future program design and implementation. 2002-2008. The report features an overview culled from The Foundation's experience in implementing program interventions in collaboration with an expanding network of local and international partners that share our commitment to bettering the lives of trafficking victims and protecting those at-risk of being trafficked.

Organizational Development and Community Mobilization in the Policy and Law-making Process

Civil Society Empowerment and Participation in the Policy and Law-making Process in Vietnam Project

This assessment provides a...

Organizational Development and Community Mobilization in the Policy and Law-making Process

Civil Society Empowerment and Participation in the Policy and Law-making Process in Vietnam Project

This assessment provides a basis for developing a training program within a project on internal governance and advocacy for VNGOs.

(Vietnamese Version.) Organizational Development and Community Mobilization in the Policy and Law-making Process

Civil Society Empowerment and Participation in the Policy and Law-making Process in Vietnam Project

(Vietnamese Version.) Organizational Development and Community Mobilization in the Policy and Law-making Process

Civil Society Empowerment and Participation in the Policy and Law-making Process in Vietnam Project

This assessment provides a basis for developing a training program within a project on internal governance and advocacy for VNGOs.

The 2008 PCI survey is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of provincial governments based on the views expressed by over 7,820 domestic entrepreneurs and managers from firms across Vietnam’s 64...

The 2008 PCI survey is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of provincial governments based on the views expressed by over 7,820 domestic entrepreneurs and managers from firms across Vietnam’s 64 provinces. Every year, this highly anticipated survey gauges the impact of economic and administrative reforms at both the provincial and national levels and guides the decisions of Vietnam’s policymakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.

Summary of The Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index 2008: Measuring Economic Governance for Private Sector Development. The 2008 PCI survey is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of...

Summary of The Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index 2008: Measuring Economic Governance for Private Sector Development. The 2008 PCI survey is the largest and most comprehensive assessment and ranking of the performance of provincial governments based on the views expressed by over 7,820 domestic entrepreneurs and managers from firms across Vietnam’s 64 provinces. Every year, this highly anticipated survey gauges the impact of economic and administrative reforms at both the provincial and national levels and guides the decisions of Vietnam’s policymakers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.

THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ASIA FOUNDATION IN INDONESIA, CAMBODIA, VIETNAM, SRI LANKA, AND BANGLADESH

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is...

THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ASIA FOUNDATION IN INDONESIA, CAMBODIA, VIETNAM, SRI LANKA, AND BANGLADESH

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is the formal and informal MSME sector, the major source of employment for most countries in Asia. However, the growth and job-generation performance of MSMEs are often constrained by a wide spectrum of institutional obstacles. To address the constraints to MSME growth, the Foundation has developed specialized tools to analyze local business environments, measure the quality of local economic governance, assess progress through a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators, and support policy reforms. Local Economic Governance Indexes (EGIs), developed in collaboration with local and international partners, are one of these tools.

11x17 version.

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is the formal and informal MSME sector, the major source of employment for most...

11x17 version.

The Asia Foundation’s approach to effective economic governance builds on the knowledge that the engine for sustainable growth is the formal and informal MSME sector, the major source of employment for most countries in Asia. However, the growth and job-generation performance of MSMEs are often constrained by a wide spectrum of institutional obstacles. To address the constraints to MSME growth, the Foundation has developed specialized tools to analyze local business environments, measure the quality of local economic governance, assess progress through a set of quantitative and qualitative indicators, and support policy reforms. Local Economic Governance Indexes (EGIs), developed in collaboration with local and international partners, are one of these tools.

(In English and Vietnamese) An analysis of the mechanism for administrative complaints in Vietnam. The analysis addresses legal loopholes, confusions and overlaps in complaints handling agencies' mandate, enforcement practice and lack of...

(In English and Vietnamese) An analysis of the mechanism for administrative complaints in Vietnam. The analysis addresses legal loopholes, confusions and overlaps in complaints handling agencies' mandate, enforcement practice and lack of remedies that impede the effective handling of the petitions and provides recommendations for the draft law on petitions.

Training Needs Assessment Report: Public Library Institutions and Communal Cultural Post Offices in Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, and Tra Vinh Provinces. Building Capacity for Public Library Institutions in Support of Public Access to the Internet in...

Training Needs Assessment Report: Public Library Institutions and Communal Cultural Post Offices in Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, and Tra Vinh Provinces. Building Capacity for Public Library Institutions in Support of Public Access to the Internet in Vietnam Project.

Training Needs Assessment Report: Public Library Institutions and Communal Cultural Post Offices in Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, and Tra Vinh Provinces. Building Capacity for Public Library Institutions in Support of Public Access to the Internet in...

Training Needs Assessment Report: Public Library Institutions and Communal Cultural Post Offices in Thai Nguyen, Nghe An, and Tra Vinh Provinces. Building Capacity for Public Library Institutions in Support of Public Access to the Internet in Vietnam Project. (Vietnamese language version)

English version. This document provides a summary of key findings of a research project aimed at a better understanding of the nature of administrative complaints in Vietnam, the existing structure resolving those complaints, and how...

English version. This document provides a summary of key findings of a research project aimed at a better understanding of the nature of administrative complaints in Vietnam, the existing structure resolving those complaints, and how such a mechanism can be improved.

Vietnamese version. This document provides a summary of key findings of a research project aimed at a better understanding of the nature of administrative complaints in Vietnam, the existing structure resolving those complaints, and...

Vietnamese version. This document provides a summary of key findings of a research project aimed at a better understanding of the nature of administrative complaints in Vietnam, the existing structure resolving those complaints, and how such a mechanism can be improved.

Vietnamese version of press release announcing a new grant of $500,000 from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a two-year project to strengthen the Government of Vietnam's ongoing anti-trafficking efforts in the...

Vietnamese version of press release announcing a new grant of $500,000 from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a two-year project to strengthen the Government of Vietnam's ongoing anti-trafficking efforts in the Mekong Delta. The new project will reach 40,000 students through education and training.