Viet Nam: Southeast Asia's Rising Star Takes the Next Step in its National Development

Abstract

Viet Nam was a founding member of ADB in 1966. ADB operations in the country were suspended in 1979 and resumed in 1993. Since resumption of operations, the ADB portfolio in Viet Nam expanded from an average of $217.3 million per year in 1999–2001 to more than $1.3 billion in 2007–2010. This portfolio expansion was fueled by a transition in ADB’sactivities from projects in agriculture and natural resources, urban services, and public sector management to large infrastructure projects, particularly roads and energy. ADB’sstrategies and programs in Viet Nam have been carefully aligned with the government’s development programs, and were particularly supportive of inclusive growth in the country.ADB-supported projects built or improved 366 schools in 21 provinces, while 85 district and regional hospitals and 87 clinics were constructed or renovated. Irrigation facilities were improved on 660,000 hectares, comprising about 15.0% of the total rice land in the country.ADB is supporting Viet Nam by pursuing a country partnership strategy that seeks to remove key constraints to pro-poor, business-led development. In the coming years, ADB is expected to be proactive in promoting public–private partnerships and in improving the efficiency of Viet Nam’s economy.