Vietnam’s regional economic development- status and solution

Abstract

The writers identify the outstanding problems for the regional development, on the basis of which they propose solution to the problem.

1. Some outstanding problems in the policy of regional economic development

 1.1. Lack of association and coordination Following the maximum benefits for localities lead to the conflicts of interests at the expense of the national interests. This has become common in Vietnam today.

1.2. Focusing on quantity but not on quality: Unselected master plans in the region do not help raise competitive edge for the regions and key branches in the international market.

1.3. An increasing negative social and environmental impact: The exploitation to the maximum of the natural resources in crude form at cheap prices, the filling of industrial parks and a massive influx of enterprises in provinces, cities and regions have left a negative social and environmental impact.

2. Reasons for the weaknesses in the regional economic development in the last few years

a. An overlapping policy for regional development

b. Lack of a specialized agency having total authority to manage regional development

c. Unclear distribution of public investment for regional development

d. No specific policy based on the regional advantages and characteristics

3. Some solutions to the problems in the coming time (1) Selective investment; (2) Shaping competent management boards; (3) Selecting the key branches or sectors to serve as a driving force for regional development and (4) Building a regional cooperation through special policies and distribution of human resources./.