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Implications of the Crisis for Transition Economies: Vietnam
Prepared for International Conference on the Challenges of Globalization, organized by
the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel ,
Bangkok,Thailand on October 21-22, 1999.
By Tran Thi Ben, Faculty of Economics, University of Economics-HCM City, Vietnam.
Vietnamese economy is in transition from a centrally planned economy to a market-
oriented one. Since Doi Moi (Economic Reform) Vietnam becomes more and more open
to regional and world market and it has been gotten impacts from the Asian economic
crisis. In the path of transition and integration Vietnamese economy has gained both
achievements and challenges. How does Vietnam keep its sustainable growth and deal
with challenges? The paper is aimed at the mentioned issues.
Some Main Features of the Economic Development in Vietnam
Economic Development in Vietnam can be divided into two periods: before Doi Moi
(1976-1985) and after Doi Moi(1986 to now).
- Before ‘Doi Moi’:
After the reunification of the country in 1975 the economies of the North and South
Vietnam were integrated into one. The model socialist Development was implemented
throughout the country: collectivization in agriculture, emphasis was placed on heavy
industries, strong central control of the entire economy and state sector considered as
engine of growth. It led to sectoral imbalance and inefficiency. Vietnamese economy
faced a great deal of difficulties such as low growth rate at 2,3% in 86, budget deficit,
foreign debt increase at 8,5 million rubles & 1,9 million USD. Vietnam had to import
some basic goods such as rice, cloth, 1,5 million tons of rice and 60 million meters of
cloth per year and the end of 1986 the hyperinflation reached 775 %.
- After ‘Doi moi’:
Encountering enormous difficulties in 1986 Vietnam carried out economic reforms. In
the five- year plan (1986-1990) period, the state carried out three large economic
programs, namely food production program, consumer goods production program and
export commodities program. The main purpose of the reform was to build a new
economic mechanism, a market-based economy in which all economic sectors have been
1
encouraged to work and develop effectively and fairly in attempting to exploit all the
available resources more efficiently compared to that in the previous centrally planned
economy.
In agriculture, with Decision 10 (1988) of the Party Central Committee ‘khoan san
pham’ (product contract system) was implemented to households instead of to collective
productive teams. Prices of agricultural products were adjusted to enable farmers to make
profit. The law on land gave the land-use right to farmers up to 15 years( and up to 20
years now). These incentives were given to farmers to encourage them to invest all their
resources in agricultural activities.
In Industry, Regulation 217 of the ministers Committee gave the self-management in
production to state-owned enterprises and no more subsidies from the state for the loss of
state-owned ones. From 1988, the state-owned enterprises did not get the capital for their
activities from the budget but they have to borrow capital from the bank for their
production. Private sector was encouraged to participate in production and business
activities
At the end of 1987, Law on foreign investment was passed to attract inflows of foreign
capital. In 1988, Banking system was rearranged to adapt to new economic situation. The
state bank was separated from commercial operations. It only took the role of supervisor.
Commercial banks were established. Since 1989 the state has gradually liberalized
control on the price mechanism. About foreign trade, export management based on
export quotas were reduced and export activities were given to local authorities, branches
and even some associations of private sector.
The period after ‘Doi moi’ can be divided into two periods: period 1986-1990 and the
1991-1998 one. Under the economic reform, Vietnam has gained impressive
achievements such as high economic growth rate.
Table 1: Annual growth rates of GDP, Agriculture, Industry and Service Sector during
1986-1998 ( percentage)
Year 86 87 88 89 90
GDP Growth 2.3 3.6 6.0 4.7 5.1
Agriculture 2.4 -0.5 3.9 6.8 1.6
Industry & 10.3 9.2 5.3 -2.8 2.9
2
Construction
Service -2.8 5.3 9.1 7.6 10.8
Year 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
GDP Growth 6.0 8.6 8.1 8.8 9.5 9.3 8.1 5.8
Agriculture 2.2 7.1 3.8 3.9 4.8 4.4 4.3 2.7
Industry &
Construction
9.1 14.0 13.1 14.0 13.6 14.5 12.6 10 .3
Service 8.3 7.0 9.2 10.2 10.0 9.3 8.3
Source: GSO 1997,1998.
From a low economic growth rate of 2,3 % in 86, the annual growth rate of Vietnam has
increased to over 9% in both 95 and 96. The average GDP growth rate in 86-90 was
around 4.3%, and in 91-96 period increased dramatically of almost 8% (table 1). It
resulted in increasing per capita income, in US dollar terms, per capita income grew from
barely $100 in 1987 to over $300 in 1996. In 1997 from the effect of Asian crisis the
GDP growth rate declined and fell to 5.8% in 98, it is the lowest growth rate from 90.
The agricultural sector increased at a good rate, from an average growth rate 2.8 % in
86-90 to 4.3 % in 91-98 (Table 1). Food crop share was slightly declining but still
contributed more than 63% in structure of crop's output during 90-98. Industrial crop
share, vegetable and bean one contributed around 20% and 7% and were increasing while
share of fruit crop was around 8% and almost unchanged during that time. Gross output
of paddy in 1988 was 17 million tonnes then over 30 million tonnes in 1998. Coffee
grain in 91 was 102,000 tonnes, reached 218,000 tonnes in 95 then 420,000 tonnes in 97.
About structure of output of livestock, share of domestic animals contributed more than
64% and was increasing. Share of poultry and that of other were 17% and 15%. Pig was
12,2 million heads in 90 and 16,3 million heads in 95 then 18,1 million heads and
buffaloes and cattle were around 7 million heads in 98. Area of water surface for
cultivating aquatic and sea products from 95 to 98 was increasing. In 98 it passed
500,000 hecta (GSO 98).
The industry and construction sector have grown remarkably. In the first period,
industry sector under new mechanism the state stopped all subsidies. Facing difficulties
3
industrial and construction sector grew at an average modest growth rate of 5%, then
decreased to 2.8 % in 1989. In the second period, industrial production expanded quickly
and became the main source of economic growth for the entire economy. The high
growth rate in industry, 14% for the period 90-96 (Table 1) has been contributed by
many factors. The first contribution is from crude oil extraction activities in the offshore
oil fields, then construction boom associated with huge inflows of foreign capital and a
boost in tourism since the early 1990s. It also resulted from a large previous investment
into important industries such as mining, electricity, cement, paper, steel. Utilizing fully
capacity of factories and the most important is thanks to mechanism reform. Factories
have their own self management right in their production and business activities.
Gross output of some industrial products such as electricity, steel, cement increased.
Crude oil from 40,000 tonnes in 1986 increased to 7,6 million tonnes in 1990 and 12,5
million tonnes in 98. Service sector also grew with a high growth rate.
Table 2: Structure of Industrial Gross Output by Economic Sector
(at constant 1994 prices)
Unit: percentage
1995 1996 1997 1998
Total 100 100 100 100
1- Domestic sector 74.9 73.3 71 68.2
State owned enterprises 50.3 49.3 48 46.2
Non state enterprises 24.6 24 23.1 22
2- Foreign invested
sector
25 26.7 28.9 31.8
Source: GSO 1998
In industrial sector state owned enterprises have played an important role. It shared over
50% in the structure of industrial gross output (95) but its share is declining (46.2% in
1998). The role of private sector has improved remarkably after economic renovation but
for it contribution there is no more improvement in recent years. Foreign invested sector
has taken part in the industrial sector and it plays an increasingly important role in
4
industrial sector. Its contribution is increasing from one fourth (95) to one third (98) in
industrial gross output (Table 2).
Service sector Growth has originated from the liberalization in the economy (late
1980s). Shops, restaurants, traders mushroomed. Tourism development opened the way
for the establishment of hotels and tourist agencies. Vietnam has received more than 1,6
million foreign visitors in 1996 and hopeful to lure 2 million international tourists in the
year 2000. The openness of the economy, the economic improvement in industry,
agriculture, construction and the improvement of banking activities from financial
reforms has backed up the service sector.
Economic structural change: the share of primary sector (Agriculture) has decreased
from 35.5% in 90 to 26.2% in 97, while that of secondary(Industry) and terteary
(services) has increased from 23.9 % to 31.2 % and 38.6% to 42.6% relatively in that
period of time. It is a good tendency for the long-term economic growth of Vietnam.
(See table 3)
Table 3: Share in GDP of main sectors (Percentage)
Year 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97
Agriculture 31.5 39.5 33.9 29.9 28.7 27.5 27.2 26.2
Industry 23.9 24.8 27.3 28.9 29.6 30.1 30.7 31.2
Services 38.6 35.7 38.8 41.2 41.6 42.4 42.1 42.6
Source: GSO 1997
Besides accelerating growth rate, the reform has contributed in stabilizing the macro
economic environment. Before 1988, exchange rate was greatly overvalued. It led to
large distortion in the structure of prices. Since late 1988 exchange rate was mostly
adjusted through market mechanism, real interest rate was kept positive. Reform in
financial and fiscal policies is efficient in mobilizing personal saving, increasing tax
collection and reducing budget deficit. In early 1989, hyperinflation was defeated. By
implement of high interest rates and a tight state expenditure budget, inflation rate was
brought down from three-digit rate, 774.7 % in 1986 to one-digit rate 5.2% in 93 (table
4).
Table 4: Inflation Rates (1986- 1999)
5
1986 1988 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Aug.99
Inflation Rate
(%)
775 394 67.5 17.5 5.2 14.4 12.7 4.5 3.6 9.2 0.8
Source: WB 1995, VN Economic Times 98, GSO 98, The Saigon Times weekly, Sep.99
About Foreign trade, under the centrally planned system, Vietnamese state strictly
controlled foreign trade. At that time Soviet Union and Eastern Europe were Vietnam's
main trade partner. All trade transactions were undertaken by state owned enterprises.
After economic reform in 1986, export was considered as a crucial goal. Many new
policies were implemented. The unification and sharp devaluation of the exchange rate in
1989, liberalizing trade by simplifying the system of tariff and non-tariff restriction, all
of these provided incentives to exporters. With the implement of Decree No.57 in 1998
all kinds of firms are allowed to join in foreign trade directly. Such trade liberalization
measures have encouraged the rapid growth of trade.
Table 5: Growth Rate of Foreign Trade (1990-1998) in Percentage
Year Total Export Import
1990 123.5 114.3 107.3
1991 85.8 86.8 84.9
1992 115.7 123.7 108.7
1993 134.9 115.7 154.4
1994 143 135.8 148.5
1995 137.7 134.4 140
1996 135.2 133.2 136.6
1997 112.9 126.6 104
1998 100,4 101.9 99.2
Source:GSO 1998
In 1990, export growth rate reached 23.5%. Then 1991 the rate declined to minus 13.2
due to the decomposition of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, the Vietnam's main
trade partners. In the later years, Vietnam searched for new export markets and Vietnam's
trade partners have moved to East Asian markets such as Singapore, Japan, Taiwan,
South Korea. The trade growth rate increased rapidly to over 30% in the years 94,95,96.
6
Then the trend was declining from 94 and fell sharply in 97 and 98 due to the impact of
Asian crisis.
Table 6: Main Markets of Vietnam's Export
1995 1996 1997
Export
Value
($m)
Share (%) Export
Value
($m)
Share (%) Export
Value
($m)
Share (%)
Total 5448,9 100 7255,9 100 9185,0 100
Asia 3945 72.39 5254 72.41 6017,1 65.5
Japan 1461 26.8 1546,4 21.31 1675,4 18.2
Singapore 689,8 12.7 1290 17.77 1215,9 13.2
Taiwan 439,4 8 539,9 7.4 814,5 8.9
China 361 6 340,2 4.7 474,1 5.2
Hongkong 256,7 4.7 311,2 4.2 430,7 4.7
S. Korea 235,3 4.3 558,3 7.6 417 4.6
Thailand 101,3 2 107,4 1.4 235,3 2.6
Europe 982,8 18 1172,1 16.2 2207,6 24
Russia 80,8 1.5 84,7 1.2 124,6 1.4
United Kingdom 74,6 1.4 125,1 1.7 265,2 2.9
Germany 218 4 228 3.1 411,4 4.5
Netherlands 79,7 1.5 147,4 2 266,8 2.9
France 169,1 3.1 145 2 238,1 2.6
Switzerland 61,8 1.1 151,8 2 331,9 3.6
America 238.3 4.4 299.5 4.1 426.1 4.6
USA 169,7 3.1 204,2 2.8 291,5 3.2
Australia and
Ocean
56.9 1 72.9 1 254.9 2.7
Australia 55,3 1 64,8 1 230,4 2.5
Source: GSO 1998
7
About the markets of Vietnam's export: After the collapse of the former Soviet Union,
the main previous export partner of Vietnam, Vietnam diversified its export markets. Up
to 1997, the predominant export market of Vietnam is Asian countries. Its proportion was
over 65% while that of Europe was 24%. The other markets such as American one
(4.6%), Australian and Ocean one (2.7%), the share of these markets is increasing but it
is still modest compared to the potential of these markets. Currently, top ten export
markets of Vietnam are the neibouring Asian-Pacific countries: the top is Japanese
market (18.2%) then Singapore one (13.2%), Taiwan (8.9%), China (5.2%), Hongkong
(4.7%) and S.Korea (4.6%). Due to mainly relying on the Asian markets so Vietnam
Export got impacts from recent Asian economic crisis.
Table 7: Vietnam's Export Structure 1990-1997 (Percentage)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
Primary Products
(0-4)
88.7 83.8 73.7 65.4 62.4 65.1 63.3 63.3
Manufacture (5-
8)
10.4 16.2 26 34.2 37.1 34.6 36.4 36.7
Chemicals (5) 0.3 0.2 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 na
Resource based
(6)
5.0 5.0 5.7 6.2 6.2 6.4 7.1 na
Machinery
&Transport (7)
Equipment
0.4 0.3 0.7 2.0 1.3 1.4 1.5 na
Miscellaneous (8) 4.7 10.6 19.0 25.5 29.2 31.2 31.7 na
Textiles &
Garment
- 9.6 9.9 10.7 13.2 15.6 15.9 16.5
Footwear 0.7 0.6 0.8 2.2 2.8 5.4 7.3 10.6
Unclassified 0.9 0.1 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 0
US$ million 1,282 1,650 2,227 3,130 4,187 5,449 7,255 9,185
Source: For 90-96: from Athukorala 1998, for 1998: Statistical Yearbook 1998.
8
Primary product still contributes a large share in structure of export (over 60%) although
manufacture product share is increasing in the structure of export (from 10.4 % in 1990
and reached 36.7 in 97). Some key exportable as follow: Petroleum exports rose
remarkably from 1,514 thousand tonnes (199,124 thousand US )in 1989 to 9,638
thousand tonnes (US$1.3 billion) in 97. Rice export has continually increased and
Vietnam shifted from rice imported country to rice exported one (in 1989 rice export
reached 1,4 million tonnes and in 1998 reached 3,8 million tons) and became the second
largest exporter of rice in the world. Export of footwear, textiles and clothing contributed
significantly to total export value. Its share was from 10.2% in 91 to 27.1% in 97 then
decreased to 25.2% in 98. Export share of marine product, rubber, coffee and some light
manufactured goods have also expanded rapidly.
Import growth rate was 7.3% in 1990, then declining to minus15.1 in 1991 after the
decomposition of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Then the rate increased again, up
to 54.4% in 93. Import increased due to industrial development during that period it
needed more material, equipment for the input of industrial development. Then it was
slightly declined in 1994. Due to the economic shrink from the impact of Asian crisis, it
fell to 4% in 97 and to minus 0.8% in 98
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Since Vietnam introduced its foreign direct
investment in 1987, foreign direct investment has increasingly flowed into the country.
Table 8: Foreign Direct Investment Inflow in Vietnam (1988-1998)
Year No. Of
Projects
Registered
Capital
(US$mil.)
Growth Rate
Rate (%)
Implemente
d Capital
(US$ mil.)
Impl. Cap./
Reg. Cap.
(%)
1988 37 371.8 49 13
1989 68 582.5 56.6 130 22.3
1990 108 839.0 44 220 26.2
1991 151 1322.3 57.5 221 16.7
1992 197 2165.0 63.7 398 18.3
1993 269 2900.0 33.9 1106 38.1
1994 343 3765.6 29.8 1952 51.8
1995 370 6530.8 73.4 2652 40.6
9
1996 325 8497.3 30.1 2371 27.9
1997 345 4649.1 -45.3 2800 62.7
1998 275 3897.4 -16.1 n.a n.a
1988-98 2488 35520.9
Source: Statistical Yearbook 1998, Vietnam Economic News No. 3,4,5 of 1998
Generally, FDI in Vietnam grew in three different periods, from 1988 to 1990; from
1991 to 1995; and from 1996 until recently.
In the first period of 1988-1990, it is initial step. FDI flowed into Vietnam in modest
amount. Only 37 foreign projects were licensed in 1988 registered at US$371.8 million.
It reached 68 projects and US$ 582.5 in 1989 and was 108 projects and US$ 839 million
in 1990. From 56.6% in 89 the growth rate of FDI declined to 44% in 90. In this period
of time, the predominant fields of FDI were oil and gas exploration and exploitation,
hotels and restaurants. FDI in agriculture, forestry, fishery, transport and communication
was low.
The second period (1991-95) recorded a significant growth of FDI. FDI increased
steadily in term of registered and implemented capital. In this period of time many
events happened favoring investment environment of Vietnam. Cambodian settlement,
Vietnam-China normalization, Singapore lifted its investment ban on Vietnam in 1991,
diplomat relation re-establishment with South Korea in 1992 encouraging Korean
investment. The removal of US embargo in 1994, Vietnam joining ASEAN in 1995 these
events completely ended the era of international isolation and Vietnam began integrating
into the world economy.
Compared to the first period, in 1991 registered capital reached 1322.3 million, the
growth rate of FDI rose sharply to 57.5% then 63.7%, 33.9%, 29.8%, and 73.4% in
1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995 respectively. The implemented ratio was 16.7%, 18.3%,
38.1%, 51.8% and 40.6% in that sequence of years. The low ratio of implemented capital
related to the characteristics of FDI. It is 2-3 years lag of project implementation. There
were difficulties in project implementation and a large share of dissolved investment. It
led to the average growth rate of FDI was over 50% and the average implemented ratio
of FDI was 33% in the period of time. It can be said that the high growth rate of FDI
10
was due to the strong economic growth and the stability of the macro economic
environment in that period of time. It can be seen as a positive sign that foreign investors
felt confident on the country's economic outlook..
The third period (1996-1998), since 1996, FDI inflow has declined. Registered capital
continued to increase in 1996 by 30%. It included two mega-land projects with a
registered capital of US$3,108 of which one was dissolved in 98 and the other
suspended. In the case these projects were excluded, registered capital decreased by 16%
in 1996, by 45.3% in 1997 and by 16.1% in 1998. The Asian financial crisis strongly
affected capital flows to Vietnam and FDI in Vietnam declined quickly in 97-98 was.
From the impacts of Asian financial crisis foreign investors have faced financial
difficulties, many had to revoke their investments abroad, and many were not able to
invest more overseas. Vietnam suffered seriously from the FDI withdrawal as the country
has relied heavily on Asian investors.
About the forms of FDI, previously, most of FDI in Vietnam has come to joint venture
with state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Up to now it still occupies a big share, 49.1 % in
total projects licensed and 66.1% in total registered capital. It is due to advantages of
SOEs. Only SOEs allowed to contribute land use rights in joint ventures. Some SOEs in
industries under trade protection, it is destination of investors aiming at capturing the
local market or benefits from the influences of SOEs on governmental decisions. The
form of wholly foreign invested enterprise is currently in increasing tendency. Its share
in total projects licensed in 96 was 18.6%, then 27.9% and 18% in 97 and 98. Up to 1998
its share in total projects licensed was 45.2% and 23.6% in total registered capital. There
are many reasons for the decline of FDI in Joint-venture form. Besides some positive
contribution, FDI in joint-venture form faces some constraints. Capital contribution
capacity from Vietnamese partner is small, mostly by land use right. Foreign partners
raise the price of inputs and lower the price of output to avoid tax but Vietnamese
partners cannot check the matter. Foreign partners spending a lot for advertisement and
lowering their product price in competition, it leads to loss for a long period of time and
Vietnamese partners cannot endure. The dissimilar ideas, disagreement between two
partners leads many joint ventures to termination or shifting to wholly foreign invested
enterprises. Decision 51 issued in March 99 allows foreign investors to invest their
11
investments into fields that are only offered for joint-venture form previously such as
telecommunication, tourism, entertainment, cement, steel production (Investment times,
9/1999.)
Table 9: Foreign Direct Investment(1988-1998), by kind of economic activities.
No. Of Projects Registered Capital
(mil. USD)
Share (%)
Total 2488 35520.9 100
Agriculture, forestry
& fishery
352 1614.9 4.5
Industry 1208 13418.2 37.7
of which oil and gas
industry
43 2969 8.4
Construction 258 4394.2 12.4
Hotel, Tourism 194 4664.1 13.1
Transport,
Communication
134 3280.1 9.2
Finance & Banking 28 193.1 0.5
Other 317 7956.3 22.4
Source: GSO 1998
Up to 1998, the largest share of 37.7% came to manufacturing then 13.1% to hotels,
restaurants, office buildings, commercial and entertainment centers; the third one was of
construction with 12.4%. The left was transport and communication with 9.2%. It means
that a half of total commitment capital came to non-trade sectors ( construction, hotel and
tourist, transport and communication, services). A proportion of 12.9% flew to primary
sector including agriculture forestry, fishing, mining and oil exploration. Only 4.5% FDI
was really in agriculture, forestry and fishery, the sector Vietnam has highly competitive
advantages.
Table 10: Foreign Direct Investment(1988-1998) by regions
No. Of Projects Registered Capital
(mil. USD)
Share (%)
12
Whole Country 2453 33856.8 100
Red River Delta 575 10170.6 30
in which : Ha Noi 394 7516.5 22.2
Hai Phong 95 1467.4 4.3
North East 109 1521.5 4.5
in which Quang
Ninh
43 856.6 2.5
North West 8 52.1 0.1
North Central Coast 41 833.1 2.4
South Central Coast 135 2658 7.8
in which Da Nang
& Quang Nam
69 1012.1 3
Quang Ngai 6 1312.4 3.8
Central High Lands 8 57.8 0.17
North East South 1434 17744.4 52.4
in which HCM City 786 9540.7 28.1
Binh Phuoc & Binh
Duong
204 1393.1 4.1
Dong Nai 269 3374.6 10
Ba Ria & Vung Tau 91 2269.9 6.7
Mekong River Delta 143 819.3 2.4
Source: GSO 1998
About regional distribution of FDI, during 1988-98, 62.8% of FDI came to the southern
region and 37.2% to the North. FDI concentrated on a limited number of cities such as
HCM City, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc and Binh Duong, Ba ria & Vung Tau, Hanoi, Hai
phong. Except in 1998 with the approval of a US$1.3 billion oil refinery project to Dung
Quat and a US$706 million resort project to Dalat has changed the trend. The uneven
distribution among regions and within a region was due to the infrastructure disparity
among regions. FDI were concentrated on regions with good insftrastructure.
Table 11: Foreign Direct Investment(1988-1998) by Counterparts (Top Ten)
13
No. Of Projects Registered Capital
(mil.USD)
Share (%)
Total 2488 35520.9
Singapore 221 5713.1 16
Taiwan 427 4415.9 12.4
Hongkong 289 3570.9 10
Japan 256 3299.1 9.2
S. Korea 236 2973.7 8.3
France 136 1832.8 5.1
British Virgin
Inslands
76 1710.7 4.8
Russia 60 1498.4 4.2
USA 91 1189.7 3.3
United Kingdom 33 1160.7 3.2
Source: GSO 1998
About the country origin of FDI, the main FDI sources are from East Asian and ASEAN
countries. The five largest investors are Singapore, Taiwan, Japan , Hongkong and
Korea. They accounted for about 60% of registered capital. Western investors'
investments are still modest. Major investments of European countries are from France,
UK, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Their investments concentrated on capturing the
local market. The share of USA is modest compared to its potential.
Current economic situation in Vietnam after the Asian crisis
July 1997 financial crisis occurred in Thailand then has spread to Philippines,
Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea. How and what are the impacts of the crisis
on the Vietnamese economy?
Up to the eight months of 1999, despite a number of initiatives, the Vietnamese
economy continues to face formidable challenges. One of which is a low inflation rate at
0.8%, the lowest in 15 years that has badly affected credit activities, production and
business. Industrial production rate was at 10,4%, of which the state-owned sector
increased by 4.5%, the non-state area up 7.6% and foreign invested businesses up
14
19.9%. Invested capital for basic construction only met 49.9% of the year target.
Exports amounted to US$7.203 billion up nearly 15% from the same period last year,
making up 75% of the year's target. Exports of major commodities such as garments,
footwear, seafood, crude oil, computers, electronics and rubber increased 10%-33%
compared with the same period of last year. Exports of other products also increased
significantly such as handicraft, black pepper, vegetables and fruit. Import value was
US$7,925 billion down 5.7%. Import of cars, motorbikes, equipment, machinery,
medicines shrank drastically but import for production such as steel, fertilizers, petrol,
chemicals, plastic material and material for leather, garment and textile sectors continued
raising. Generally, trade deficit in the first eight months was US$92 million, a significant
decline from US$1,639 million for the same period last year. Although the export
quantity increased, Vietnamese export products now face fierce competition and lower
export prices. It leads to the export earning decreased compared to the quantity growth.
Foreign direct investment flowed into Vietnam to a lesser extent. According to the
Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) there were 157 projects granted licenses with
a total capital of US$871.2 million. It accounted for 89.7% of the projects and 51.7% of
registered capital compared to that of the same period last year. The reasons for the
slowdown due to 60% of FDI coming from Asian countries, one quarter of which is from
ASEAN, where the financial crisis first occurred and continues to affect their national
economy. Facing financial difficulties, many multinational corporations have stopped or
reduced capital injections into their Vietnam-based subsidiaries. FDI projects account for
a large share of trade turnover (21.5%). From 22% in 91-95, FDI increases its
contribution to the total investments of Vietnam to over 30% in 97. Foreign invested
enterprises' share in industrial production was 31.8% in 98 up to 35.2% in first half of
99 (GSO 98).
A recent survey of the Ministry of Labor, invalids and social affairs showed that
national-wide unemployment rose to 6.6% of the labor force in 98. The labor force
grows by 1.1 million persons every year. FDI in declining tendency, and there are many
lay-offs from foreign invested enterprises currently. It makes unemployment solving
more difficult.
15
Number of international tourists came to Vietnam in 98 declined 10% compared with the
previous year, falling to 1,5 million and may continue to drop this year. Hotels in HCM
city have been facing great difficulty with continuos drop in occupancy. Although the
room renting price was lowered from 30% to 50%, the average occupancy rate of hotels
in HCM city is around 35% at present, and travel businesses suffered a considerable
decline in customers. The reason for the slump is drastic drop in tourist arrivals from
Asian countries, which has made up 70% of the total tourists to Vietnam. Another reason
was due to the drop in FDI. It resulted in a fall in the number of foreign entrepreneurs
coming to Vietnam.
Besides negative impacts Vietnam still gains positive impact. Due to outdated technology
and equipment, products made in Vietnam are unable to compete with those of
neighboring nations not only in the world market but also in the local market.
Technology updating becomes a real need. With the regional economic crisis, machines
and equipment become cheaper it lets Vietnamese entrepreneurs to invest and update
their factories most efficiently, such as the case of factories of plastics and textiles.
It can be said that compared to other countries in the region, the impacts of the regional
economic crisis on the Vietnamese economy are not much severe. The impacts are still
remarkable as mentioned above.
On the way of integration into the regional and world markets, Vietnamese economy has
attained sound achievements as well as to face high competition and challenges. What
kinds of measures should be carried out to help Vietnamese economy to successfully
compete and overcome challenges to keep its sustainable growth?
Primary products in export currently account for over 60% of Vietnam's export turnover
and they depend on some items. It would have impacts on the earning growth if these
export products get unstable price. Thus, it is necessary to search for new, refined and
fully-processed export products. In some areas have witnessed process technology
improvement. With up-dated equipment and technology for dehusking rice, processing
rubber latex, and producing sugar, fruit juice and confectionery that lifted Vietnam's
processing industry to a niche position in the international markets. However, the
processing industry's improvements have yet to keep pace with the burgeoning
agricultural production. The main issues of Vietnam's agricultural product export are
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quality improvement and diversification. For example, in Vietnam's rice export, the share
of low quality rice export is prominent. Vietnam rice is not easy to compete to high
quality rice of Thailand and that of America. It is necessary to carry out research
programs for new high quality strains to introduce and help farmers to grow them in
appropriate regions. In seafood export, many enterprises are using outdated machines and
lack of adequate freezing systems leading to high production cost and substandard
products. Export of coffee and tea faces the unstable quality disadvantage due to the
inadequate process of drying, classifying and reserving. Thus, the state gives incentives
to encourage the investment into modernizing processing technology, especially for
agricultural product processing one is still sound meaning. Currently, post-harvest losses
remain high, about 13% for rice and 20% for vegetables and fruits. Although
manufacture share in export is in creasing but it is still low, 27% in 97 compared to that
of other Asian countries. Manufacture export of Vietnam has comparative advantages in
resource-based products and labor-intensive products such as rubber, textiles, garment,
leather and footwear and assemble electronics. It is necessary to continue update
equipment and technology, training labor force to raise the competitive capacity of other
kinds of manufacture products in order to lift the share of manufacture products in
export. Reducing tariff protection and removing tariff barriers to a reasonable level, it
will help enterprises improve their competitiveness soon and avoid shocks when Vietnam
joints to AFTA. Looking for new potential markets such as European market and
American one to expand export markets for Vietnam products, it helps export more
stable compared to depending only on Asian markets as recently. Although Vietnam
adjusted its exchange rate, in the circumstances other Asian currencies were devalued
sharply VND is still relatively appreciated, it makes Vietnam's export goods less
competitive in the international market. Maintaining a competitive exchange rate is
essential to promote export.
FDI has become more and more crucial to Vietnam economy. Foreign direct invested
enterprises create nearly 9% of the country's GDP and contribute nearly 8% of the state
budget in taxes and charges. They also account for one-fourth of the country's import-
export turnover and 30% of the total industrial output. FDI seems to be a vehicle through
which advanced technologies and techniques and capital transferred to Vietnam enabling
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to create products for domestic consumption and export. FDI inflow to Vietnam is
declining due to many reasons, from the outside as well as from the inside of the country.
The difficulties from the outside such as the impacts from the Asian economic crisis, the
problems from the host country. The obstacles from the country such as cumbersome
license granting procedure, some discriminations on taxes, prices, issues related to legal
framework. The amendment of foreign investment law was promulgated in 93. Then
other obstacles were gradually removed such as simplifying the lincense granting
procedure, implementing one price policy, reducing land lease rate, creating a level
playing field for equal treatment. Decision 145 effective from July 99, more economic
sectors are allowed to open to foreign investment. These are telecommunication, tourism,
entertainment, leasing land for the construction of offices and residence buildings for
rent, education, health care, cement, steel production. More preferential tax rates, tax
reduction and exemption as well as more favorable conditions are offered for the form of
wholly foreign enterprises. With many comparative advantages on natural resources, low
labor wage, infrastructure system is in improving and construction. With changes
mentioned, it is hopeful that FDI inflow to Vietnam will have new trend soon.
Besides specific issues related to Export and FDI in Vietnam as mentioned, Vietnamese
economy currently faces other difficulties. The economy's growth rate has declined since
96. The most pressing problem is the lack of competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses.
Only 40% of the total enterprises nation-wide are now operating profitably. Large stock
piles were noted in many state corporations such as coal, cement, paper, rubber, textiles,
garment, sugar, coffee. Most of these goods have higher production costs than those in
regional countries. The main reasons for low competitiveness of State-owned enterprises
are obsolete technology, poor management and excessive protection. To speed up SOEs
renovation the State should give state corporations more autonomy and deals drastically
with some problems such as debts, finance and surplus labor. The performance of
domestic banking system remains poor. From August 99, the state bank of Vietnam
reduced the maxium loan interest rate to stimulate the demand for investment of business
operation and production. The drop in loan interest rates affects the operation of banking
system, to help banks find a way to escape from frozen capital as investments expand.
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Private Sector has its own contribution to the country's economy. It contributes not only
in create products but also in employment generation. Currently, the sector made up
40.2% of the country's GDP. Private sector in Vietnam is still small with 600 enterprises
employing 100 workers and about more 2 million households' businesses in urban areas
and attaining a growth rate of between 15% and 20%. It is still not yet favored in
Vietnam. It is necessary to give more incentives, to create an equality among different
types of enterprises and more fair treatment. It is essential for promoting the
development of the sector, it helps keep a balance with state-owned sector and the sector
will fuel economic growth and create employment.
There are many issues need to be improved to ensure a stable macro-economic
environment. This includes competitive exchange rate, public investment in basic
infrastructure to facilitate production, human resource development, and export. Besides
focusing on attracting FDI sources, it is necessary to give incentives to mobilize domestic
saving in order to increase domestic investment. It is the way to rely more on the internal
forces other while Vietnam could get foreign debts in near future.
What kind of lessons can be learn for Vietnam economy from the Asian economic crisis?
The financial crisis firstly started in Thailand then spread through out the region. There
were many reasons mentioned to explain for the on-going regional crisis such as:
In a long period of time, many economies in the region increased borrowing foreign loan,
attracted more foreign investment to keep a high growth rate. It exceeded their own
internal forces. The high growth rate it is, the high foreign debt results, in which the short
term debt got a big share.
An inefficient and inappropriate investment- real estate investment continues to boom
despite the fact that offices, hotels and apartment were being experiencing the occupancy
declining and most of investment were financing in $US because the interest rate of the
kind of loan is lower compared to the domestic one. There is no attention on the risk of
exchange rate in the future.
A fixed exchange rate for a long period of time leads to currency appreciation and
competition disadvantage.
A weak banking system, credit was expanded to the extent they became unmanageable
and bad loans were increasing.
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Export-led strategy has helped southeast Asian countries to attain a high growth rate for a
long period of time. It has become vulnerable when they face the instability in the
international market.
How is it about Vietnam case? It can be said that certain conditions that led to the crisis
are emerging in Vietnamese economy. Banking and legal system is rather weak. Real
estate sector, both domestic and foreign were in trouble with large quantities of unsold or
unrented new space. Construction of luxury apartments and hotel’s rooms has gotten far
ahead of demand. FDI has decreased sharply. At the short run period, with the absence of
a capital market and inconvertible currency, Vietnam can proceed well. In the long run
one, Vietnam needs further reforms in banking and financial system to keep the macro
economic stability. So more incentives and simplification in investment procedures are
necessary to attract more domestic investment as well as foreign one to sustain and
expand economic activities in the future.
References:
UNDP in Vietnam, Staff paper (June 1998) East Asia: From Miracle to Crisis -
Lessons for Vietnam.
Radelet Steven c. and Sachs Jeffrey D , The East Asian Financial Crisis, HIID.Research
Review, Volume XI, number III Spring/Summer 1998.
Dapice David O. (September 98) Vietnam and the Asian Economic Crisis, Paper
prepared for UNDP in Vietnam.
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Perkins Dwight H.(February 1998) Implications of the Asian Financial Crisis for
Vietnam.
Nguyen Ngoc Bao Chau, M.A thesis (1997) Impacts of Inward-Foreign Direct
Investment on Export Expansion of the Host Country- The Case of Vietnam during
1988-1997
Doan Van Lien, M.A thesis (1999) Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam and Its Trade
Orientation, Period Study From 1988 to 1998.
Khung hoang tai chinh - tien te chau A va anh huong doi voi Viet Nam. VAPEC - Thoi
Bao Kinh Te Sai Gon thang 2, 1998.
Tran Vo Hung Son & Chau Van Thanh: Tang Truong Kinh Te Viet Nam: Mot vai phan
tich su dung phuong trinh tinh toan tang truong.
Tran Hoang Ngan: Khung Hoang Tai Chinh Tien Te Dong Nam A va Van De Kinh Te
Tai Chinh Nay Sinh o Viet Nam.
The Saigon Times Weekly, September 4,11/1999
Vietnam Economic News, No 31,32,33,36/1999
Vietnam Statistical Yearbook 1997,1998.
Investment Times, 9/1999
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