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A Stocktaking of Viet Nam’s Labor Market Policies

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Labor Markets in Asia

Abstract

The concept of a labor market is relatively new in Viet Nam. Not until the country started its economic reform program (Doi Moi) in 1986 did Viet Nam have a labor market in the sense of market-determined employment levels and wage rates. Before Doi Moi, Viet Nam had a centrally planned economy, where economic activities, including employment and wages, were controlled and set by the Government. With the adoption of Doi Moi, decollectivization and self-managed multiple-ownership production systems were introduced throughout the country, resulting in the diversification of rural employment and the emergence of a vibrant urban workforce.

The authors thank participants at the workshop, Labor Markets in Viet Nam (9 June 2005, Hanoi), and Jesus Felipe for very useful comments on an earlier draft of the chapter. They also thank Mary Jane Carangal and Ma. Rowena Cham for excellent research assistance.

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Nguyen, B.T., Cu, L.C., Nguyen, C.T. (2006). A Stocktaking of Viet Nam’s Labor Market Policies. In: Felipe, J., Hasan, R. (eds) Labor Markets in Asia. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230627383_9

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