Growth and Structural Transformation in Viet Nam

Abstract

This chapter examines structural transformation and change in the Vietnamese economy during the reform period of 2000–12. Using two Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs), one for the year 2000 and another for the year 2012, the chapter shows that Viet Nam’s economic structure underwent significant changes during this period, mainly due to external demand and international economic integration. Indeed, the Vietnamese economy has become internally more integrated and shifted from primary production (agriculture) towards more value adding manufacturing activities. Viet Nam’s experience with structural transformation provides important lessons on how success can be pursued under globalization. The chapter concludes with some policy recommendations, such as the need for Viet Nam to transform the economic growth model toward a more sustainable one which does not rely so much on expanding capital and labour.