Vietnam Essays (8447 words) - , Term Papers

Vietnam INTRODUCTION The war-torn country of Vietnam is once again in the midst of a revolution. Only this war is not being fought with soldiers and tanks; rather, it is being fought and won with businessmen and free-trade. This new on-slot of foreign business in the formerly closed country have completely rejuvenated the Vietnamese economy. For the first time since the re-unification of Vietnam in 1976, the doors of the market place are opened to the outside world and Vietnam is aggressively taking a stance for further economic development. Before any International firm attempts to conduct business with, or in Vietnam, it is extremely important to not only know your potential consumer, but to understand him as well. Vietnam has a unique and rich cultural history that separates it from its neighboring Asian nations. Therefore, even the most successful marketing plans for other Asian countries probably will not work in Vietnam. It is a country with an identity of its own. This report was compiled in an attempt to educate businesses and their employees of what makes Vietnam the welcoming, yet challenging nation it has become in the global marketplace. By first understanding the country and the people, it is then possible to formulate the most successful plan for a business venture. By gaining a foot-hold in the emerging market now, companies will benefit from continuous economic growth from the next potential ?Asian Tiger?--VIETNAM. ABSTRACT This is a glance into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, describing and analyzing its political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. This in an attempt to provide a basic understanding of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make up the society, their origins, dominant beliefs and values, their common interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature and extent of their involvement with national institutions, and their attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and political order. GENERAL INFORMATION 1 Official Name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam Capital: Hanoi Location: A republic of Southeast Asia, bordered by China on the north, the South China Sea on the east and south, and Cambodia and Laos on the west (see Appendix A). Land Area: Its area is 329,707 sq km (127,301 sq mi); larger than Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina combined. Terrain: Varies from mountainous to costal delta. Climate: Tropical monsoon. GOVERNMENT 2 A constitution enacted in 1992 assigned to the Communist party a leading role in Vietnamese government and society, but curbed some of its administrative functions. The constitution also increased the powers of the National Assembly. The Communist party acts through the Vietnam Fatherland Front, which includes representatives of the nation's political parties, trade unions, and social organizations. Executive Under the 1992 constitution, the head of state is a president, elected by the legislature from among its members; as commander of the armed forces, the president chairs the Council on National Defense and Security. The president appoints, with legislative approval, the prime minister, who heads the government. The prime minister appoints a cabinet, also subject to legislative approval. Legislative The unicameral National Assembly, composed of a maximum of 400 members, is the highest legislative body in Vietnam. The legislature is elected to a five-year term by universal adult suffrage. Judiciary Judges of the people's courts are elected to their offices. Organs of Control, which act as watchdogs for the state as well as monitoring government agencies, can initiate lawsuits against governmental bodies or individuals deemed to be violating the law. The highest court in Vietnam is the Supreme People's Court. Local Government A system of people's councils, each representing a local jurisdiction, administers local government in Vietnam. Each council elects a committee to serve as an executive. The country is divided into 53 provinces and three municipalities: Hanoi, Haiphong, and Ho Chi Minh City. HISTORY 3 Over thousands of years the Vietnamese have passed down the legend of their origin as being descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy. An extremely strong son of a dragon, Lac Long Quan, having killed a sea monster, settled in what is now Vietnam, and married a fairy, Au Co. Together, they gave birth to