bly on the recommendation
of the president

Political parties and leaders: only party - Communist Party of
Vietnam (CPV), DO MUOI, general secretary

International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,
Mekong Group, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim
Le Van BANG
chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, Suite 501
telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737
FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917
note: on 11 July 1995, President CLINTON announced the normalization
of diplomatic relations with Vietnam; the liaison offices in both
countries were upgraded to full embassies on 5 August 1995

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires L. Desaix
ANDERSON
embassy: 7 Lang Ha Road, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
mailing address: PSC 461, Box 400, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone: [84] (4) 431500
FAX: [84] (4) 350484
note: on 11 July 1995, President CLINTON announced the normalization
of diplomatic relations with Vietnam; the liaison offices in both
countries were upgraded to full embassies on 5 August 1995

Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center

Economy
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Economic overview: Vietnam's economic performance has been
impressive in 1990-95, with real growth averaging over 8% annually.
Much of this growth comes from a surge in foreign investment outlays
which are estimated at $750 million in 1995, up 50% from 1993
levels. Utilization rates for official development assistance are
also increasing, rising to an estimated $535 million in 1995.
Foreign capital is contributing to a boom in commercial construction
and strong growth in services and industrial output. Crude oil
remains the country's largest single export but now accounts for
only one-quarter of total exports, slightly more than manufactures.
Imports are dominated by capital and intermediate goods closely
related to investment outlays. Vietnamese authorities may not be
moving quickly enough to establish the financial and legal
infrastructure needed to sustain growth through the remainder of the
decade. Reform of the banking sector is proceeding slow