Rethinking Vietnam (Electronic book text)

Can Vietnam's history and ideology explain its position internationally? To what extent is Vietnam engaged in a process of reform? To what extent is Vietnam's social structure changing? Rethinking Vietnam is a uniquely comprehensive overview of a fascinating and rapidly changing country, dealing with the politics, economics, society and foreign policy of Vietnam from the Doi Moi reforms of market socialism in 1986 to the present day. Drawing on fieldwork and analysis by an international team of specialists this book covers all aspects of contemporary Vietnam including recent history, the political economy, the reform process, education, health, labour market, foreign direct investment and foreign policy. The contributors show how the blurring of old and new pressures and traditions within Vietnam requires a more complex analysis of the country than might initially be assumed. Broad in sweep and rich in empirical detail, this book will engage students and scholars of Southeast Asia who are interested in understanding all levels of society within this complex and intriguing country.