Vietnam Watch provides a publicly displayed, easily searchable, and regularly updated online database on Vietnamese politics, economy,
and civil society.
The primary goal of Vietnam Watch is to serve the increasing needs of Vietnamese citizens, foreigners, and foreign entities who are interested in learning who is who, who is related to who, and who is doing what at the apex of Vietnam’s politico-economic system as well as its civil society.
Vietnam now has one of the most open economies in the world as well as a very high rate of internet use among its population. Vietnam is fully open to foreign tourists and Vietnamese citizens now have many opportunities to travel abroad. The Vietnamese government claims that Vietnam wants to be a “friend to all nations” and to have a higher standing in the global economy and society.
Yet, reliable and systematic information about the operations of Vietnam’s politics, economy, and civil society is difficult to find for its own citizens as well as for foreigners. The language barrier, strict and wide-ranging laws protecting “state secrets,” and an emasculated media are no doubt among the main reasons why.
We aim to provide basic information collected solely from publicly available sources about key individuals and entities that are the movers and shakers in Vietnam today. To most effectively serve the public, including governments, researchers, journalists, businesspeople, activists, and ordinary people, both inside and outside of Vietnam, we strive to be as systematic and comprehensive as possible.
