Vietnam

Business Asia, Sept 13, 1999

Le Kha Phieu
General Secretary,
Communist Party of Vietnam
Age: 67
Education: Military University,
Vietnam

While Le Kha Phieu has delivered much-needed stability to Vietnam in his two-year reign, he has failed to deliver substantial economic growth.

The three-star general continues to be faced with stumping foreign investment figures and stow growth, with the IMF estimating the Vietnamese economy will grow by only 3.5 per cent this year. If Vietnam is to emulate its neighbours' past economic successes, Le Kha Phieu must work hard to convince the outside world that it is in their benefit to invest in Vietnam.

Pham Chi Lan
Vice President, Vietnam
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry
Age: 55
Education: Foreign Trade
University, Hanoi

For many foreigners, dealing with Madam Lan is an integral part of doing business in Thailand. The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce vice-president has earned a reputation as a reliable bridge between investors and high-ranking officials. And with the European Business Council establishing a branch in Hanoi and the United States normalising trade with Vietnam, Madam Lan is sure to pray a larger role in her country's economic future. Vietnam, once tipped as the rising star of Asia's economies, has been a disappointment in the 1990s to many Western investors and developers. However, Madam Lan has played a significant role in addressing trade barriers.

VIETNAM: AT A GLANCE

Capital:                                       Hanoi
Surface area:                          332,000 sq km
Population:                      78.1 million (1998)
GDP:                                US$23.7bn (1998)
GDP per capita:                        US$300 (1998)
Exports of goods and services:             US$11.4bn
Imports of goods and services:             US$13.4bn