Vietnam’s Economic Leap: Productivity, Innovation, and the Road to High-Income Status

This book presents a groundbreaking roadmap for one of the world’s most dynamic economies at a historic crossroads: Vietnam. It traces the country’s remarkable transformation since the Doi Moi reforms--lifting millions out of poverty and sustaining rapid growth--while confronting the central question: how can Vietnam escape the middle-income trap?

Drawing on rigorous analysis and international experience, the authors reveal the structural weaknesses of an FDI-led growth model, highlight the urgent need for productivity gains, and emphasize the pivotal role of domestic enterprise development, human capital, and innovation. They outline a comprehensive strategy that combines industrial upgrading, digital transformation, education reform, labor market dynamism, and effective management of demographic transitions.

Essential reading for policymakers, scholars, investors, and development practitioners, this volume offers timely insights into Vietnam’s economics development and its bold ambition to achieve high-income status by 2045.

Hinh T. Dinh is Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, Morocco, and President & CEO of Economic Growth and Transformation, LLC, USA. Formerly Lead Economist at the World Bank, he has authored numerous books and articles on public finance, international finance, and industrialization.

Hoai Trong Nguyen is Professor of Economics at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies. He previously served as UEH Vice President (2011-2021) and directs research on sustainable development, education internationalization, green growth, and regional development.