Why does Vietnam lag so far behind China, despite similar cultures and political systems?

[Viet]

Most Viets tell Westerners that they are Chinese to get jobs.

Don't bullshit please. In Germany, if you lie you can be fired later when disclosed. Besides, you can be sencented to pay compensation to the company.

 

[Viet]

Vietnam has a larger population and equal land mass of Germany, which is in itself an industrial and economic behemoth of Europe.

Japan, too, has a similar land area as Vietnam and slightly more population, yet Japan is the 3rd largest economy in the world.

If Germany and Japan can do it, there's no reason why Viet Nam cannot. In fact one can argue that the industrial prowess of the Vietnamese and their people's hard working nature will be a catalyst for even further development.

The strength of the Vietnamese is their ethnic solidarity. As their nation is by in large homogenous. They can be another Japan. And like Japan were able to subdue the Mongols in the 13th century and were able to defend their own "keep" against regional states of mutual interest(s). I see the Vietnamese as equals in regards to Japanese martial spirit, and the will to dominate. They are survivalists and the fact that they remain ever resilient despite historical vagaries is testament to their national potentiality.



These are just periods in history, my friend, every nation experiences these tragic events in history in regards to domination. Why even China. In fact She was subjugated multiple times by foreigners the Mongols and Manchu, then in the century of humiliation. Yet despite being forced to accept spheres of interests by foreign forces, in the end, the Chinese were able to 'build' their figurative great wall, so to say (as per their national anthem) that states:

起來！不願做奴隸的人們！
把我們的血肉，
築成我們新的長城！​

Would be a dream to have Vietnam to be where your country is. I think we need at least 30 years of peace to get there.

 

[cnleio]

Less talk, do more ... and no war. Keep hard-working at least 10~20 years, then situation might change better ... do remember No War or get nothing.

 

[tranquilium]

Vietnam has a larger population and equal land mass of Germany, which is in itself an industrial and economic behemoth of Europe.

Japan, too, has a similar land area as Vietnam and slightly more population, yet Japan is the 3rd largest economy in the world.

If Germany and Japan can do it, there's no reason why Viet Nam cannot. In fact one can argue that the industrial prowess of the Vietnamese and their people's hard working nature will be a catalyst for even further development.

The thing is, Germany and Japan did it a century before Vietnam.

While there are plenty of countries attempted industrialization after 1900s, there are only three nations that reached the status of significant industrial power----USSR, China and South Korea. If you want a diverse industrial power with a full range of industry to stand on its own, then you really only have two, USSR and China. All the other nations with a diverse industrial portfolio and strong base started before 1900.

Now, have you considered this? Why did the late starting industrial powers either choose socialism mode of governing, such as China and USSR or at least has very strong tendency towards authoritarian, centralized government during its industrialization phase, such South Korea, Japan, Germany, as well as United States did?

The answer is that first starter advantage is a very real thing. A country starting industrialization in 1800s will face significantly less competition than a country starting the same thing in the 1900s. It is much easier to carve out a piece of market share when there is not much competition. The later you enter the field, the more difficulty you will encounter.

By 1900s, other major industrial power has been around for such a long time. Large percentage of the market share, as well as the resources, has been occupied. The new comers only have two options: 1. starting wars with the old powers or the neighbors to take their share, like Germany and Japan did. 2. Adopt a method of governing that let you concentrate what little internal resource you have to jump start your industrialization process, like USSR and later China did. You can, of course, have a mixture of the two as well. The first option require your neighbor to be weak, preferably suffering some kind of internal problems. The second option require you to be sufficiently large to possess the necessary amount of internal resources.

The first starter advantage continue to pile up today and this is why countries like India (which has significantly more internal resource than Vietnam, though much less efficient government) continue to struggle in industrialization. This is why Germany is so keen on making EU work. While Germany was able to develop into a first rate industrial power by itself in the early 1900s, nowadays its limited lands and resources simply means it won't remain a first rate industrial power unless it is part of something greater. Similarly, Japan's recent economic trouble is in no small part owning to the fact that it has reached its growth ceiling and can't grow farther or even maintain its current position without significant cooperation with neighbors.

As for Vietnam, well, if it started out industrialization in the late 1800s or even early 1900s, there would be a decent chance for it succeed as long as it grabs enough territory and colonies. Heck, if they started 1980s, but have the entire southeast Asia under their control, then they may have a chance too, but that is precisely why China spent more than a decade between 1979 and 1990 to systemically exhaust Vietnam and disassemble its economy through continued border conflicts. See, history is interconnected.

 

[70U63]

However, there are quite many don't think in this way. They thought they have the luxury like those powerful and rich countries (who able to choose side while still have soft power card on their hand).

Less talk, do more ... and no war. Keep hard-working at least 10~20 years, then situation might change better ... do remember No War or get nothing.

 

[DaiViet]

As an engineer my suggestion, Vietnam still didn't finish 'the Industrial Revolution' ... their industry is very very weak.

Most non-industrial country == Poor in this world, Vietnam can't escape away. Like South-Korea as same size(or smaller) as Vietnam, but they'r a Industrial and Informationization nation, much richer than Vietnam.

The Vietnam no hope to become another S.Korea, except killing ur low-efficient government ! After VCP gone, another big risk like social instability will come ... so it's the problem for our Vietnamese friends. Anyways during the worst situation, China still will protect the North Vietnam as usual as our ancient China did.

You should be worried about China. Korea takes about 40 years to industrialized since peace, despite small economic size, lack of resources and under threat of Invasion from North Korea. China already is on 60 years after last civil war. Plus giant consumer market, huge resources and relative no threat of invasion, and is $8k per cap and now show sign of slowing down. Japan became industrialized earlier and country does not rely on resources to become industrialized.

The problems of Vietnam is visible, too much war and mis management from communist party leadership.

 

[21stCentury]

Because Vietnam choose that path. How? By making enemies of their largest and most powerful neighbor. If Vietnam doesn't change its attitude it will not end well.

 

[biendong]

Because Vietnam choose that path. How? By making enemies of their largest and most powerful neighbor. If Vietnam doesn't change its attitude it will not end well.

China has bullied Vietnam, stolen Islands of Vietnam with force. China is aggressor.

 

[21stCentury]

China has bullied Vietnam, stolen Islands of Vietnam with force. China is aggressor.

They never belonged to Vietnam, but Vietnam did belong to China for much of your Vietnam's known existence.

 

[biendong]

They never belonged to Vietnam, but Vietnam did belong to China for much of your Vietnam's known existence.

Han Chinese invaded in to Viet land in the past. Aggressor mentality of Han Chinese doesn't changed from Qin dynasty China's. Viets fought counter Han for our existence in this world..

 

[ChineseTiger1986]

Vietnam's SOE has all been embezzled by Nguyen Tan Dung's corrupt family.

And his privatization plan of the SOE will even create bigger gap between the rich and the poor.

 

[cnleio]

You should be worried about China. Korea takes about 40 years to industrialized since peace, despite small economic size, lack of resources and under threat of Invasion from North Korea. China already is on 60 years after last civil war. Plus giant consumer market, huge resources and relative no threat of invasion, and is $8k per cap and now show sign of slowing down. Japan became industrialized earlier and country does not rely on resources to become industrialized.

The problems of Vietnam is visible, too much war and mis management from communist party leadership.

Each country ever had a poor time, but we just come through and found out the right way to fit for our country development. There maybe thousand ways to get rich, but just only one is good for u.

 

[TaiShang]

Vietnam seems to still embody the good aspect of China's governing efficiency, hence, successful public policies.

What Vietnam seems to have problem with is its direction vis-a-vis major powers. No body seeks a vassal, but, Vietnam can one way or another adopt a policy approach to China akin to that of South Korea.

If Vietnam wants to embark on a speedy industrialization, it has one option: China. Being embedded to the US regional hegemony system will keep it forever a cheap manufacturing base, killing away all the chances to move up in the value chain.

 

[liubang]

Well this thread is surprisingly mostly pleasant to stroll through.

I really think we can do it. China had forced Vietnam into open up relationships with multiple countries. It is fine to be assertive but don't push too far that war had happen. Thank gosh this isn't Mao's China. Mao wouldn't fear going to war against he USA, India, and Russia. I really want the Viet to have the chance of lifting our heads up high.

The reality is that China will always be our neighbor. China will always have a factor and a role in Vietnam's growth now and in the future. A friendly relationship if possible should be always be an objective.

 

[Rechoice]

Vietnam seems to still embody the good aspect of China's governing efficiency, hence, successful public policies.

What Vietnam seems to have problem with is its direction vis-a-vis major powers. No body seeks a vassal, but, Vietnam can one way or another adopt a policy approach to China akin to that of South Korea.

If Vietnam wants to embark on a speedy industrialization, it has one option: China. Being embedded to the US regional hegemony system will keep it forever a cheap manufacturing base, killing away all the chances to move up in the value chain.

This is China's dream.