Viet Nam
Quick Facts
| Population | 93 million (2016) |
| GDP at PPP (current international dollars) | 597 billion (2016) |
| GDP per capita at PPP (current international dollars) | 6,435 (2016) |
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Viet Nam has worked with its GMS partners to increase the productivity of its agriculture sector. The country has prioritized critical reforms that have resulted in steady growth in agricultural output, making Viet Nam the second largest exporter of rice in the world. As in other GMS countries, rural transport and market access have also improved agricultural and rural livelihoods.
Viet Nam seeks to develop its energy resources with better transparency, competition and economic efficiency in order to attract private investment, which will complement public sector investments, and ensure energy supply security for its rapidly growing domestic demand. Viet Nam has worked with its GMS neighbors to benefit from power trading arrangements being developed in the subregion, and on information sharing regarding the exploration, production, and transmission of energy resources. Viet Nam is also expanding electricity access to rural and remote areas, and boosting the share of renewable energy to total energy supply.
Similar to other fast-growing GMS economies, Viet Nam has had to respond to growing pressures on its environment and natural resources. The Government has enacted legislation and launched programs to mitigate the environmental impacts of urban expansion. Viet Nam, in coordination with its GMS partners, has invested in tree planting programs that are showing results in terms slowing the loss of forest cover.
With a large rural and young population that is in need of skills development and training, Viet Nam is seeking to train 27.5 million workers – including 10 million rural workers – by 2020. In coordination with its GMS partners, Viet Nam is focusing efforts on poverty reduction and gender mainstreaming in order to help vulnerable workers benefit from national training programs. As part of its national human resources development work, the country is also strengthening its emphasis on protecting migrant workers, both domestically and across borders.
Viet Nam is sharing knowledge with its GMS partners to develop its fixed and mobile telecommunications systems, as well as Internet service. To promote competition and universal access, the country is promoting more transparent telecommunications licensing procedures and fees (in line with its subregional neighbors), and efficient government regulations. Viet Nam takes part in GMS training programs designed to increase the expertise of officials across the subregion.
Making trade and investment easier between GMS countries is a key priority for Viet Nam. The country has worked with its subregional partners to harmonize and simplify trade and investment procedures.
Viet Nam is a vital link in the emerging subregional transport system of the GMS. It is home to key sections of major GMS corridors, such as the Ho Chi Minh City-Phnom Penh Highway, the East-West Transport Corridor, the Kunming-Haiphong Transport Corridor, and the Southern Coastal Corridor. The country has also embarked on the construction of major expressways to enhance its overall transport efficiency. Viet Nam also hosts important maritime links via its ports. Viet Nam’s fast-growing economy has been a strong contributor to the development of GMS economic corridors that have benefited its own people, and the citizens of neighboring countries.
The Greater Mekong Subregion has significant potential to develop renewal energy, but it also faces major challenges.
Scientists are urgently calling for alternative treatments to a malaria “superbug” that now affects four countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
The Mekong Business Initiative is helping Vietnamese businesswomen build their capacity to engage the government in dialogue.
This is the summary of proceedings of the First Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion Urban Development Working Group held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam from 28 to 29 June 2017.
Risk financing can help at-risk communities better cope with the economic costs of natural disasters and extreme weather.
The 9th GMS Economic Corridors Forum and 22nd GMS Ministerial Conference were held on 18-20 September 2017 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
The Ministers from the six countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion issued a joint statement entitled "Greater GMS Achievements through Stronger and Pragmatic Cooperation" at the 22nd Ministerial Conference held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam on 20 September 2017.
HA NOI, VIET NAM (20 September 2017) — Ministers from the six member countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion today endorsed a five-year action plan framework that includes $64 billion in projects to help the subregion achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development.
At the southernmost tip of the Mekong Delta, Vietnamese shrimp farmers are going organic and restoring mangrove forests to help protect coastal communities against sea level rise.
Vulnerable towns in Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Viet Nam are using “green infrastructure” to stave off the impacts of climate change.