Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Vietnam Plans to Become Solid Middle-Class Nation by 2025

Ralph Jennings

   TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Vietnam's top leaders have resolved to become at least
   a middle-income country over the next five years, an about-face from
   abject poverty in the 1980s, by attracting more foreign investment in
   manufacturing.

   The Communist Party's Central Committee wrapped up a plenary session
   October 8 held to chart macroeconomic goals, and a deputy planning
   minister said separately that Vietnamese people should earn around
   $5,000 per year on average by 2025, up from $2,750 now.

   Vietnam would reach that milestone -- middle income or higher in World
   Bank terms -- by extending 10-year-old economic reforms that now
   attract foreign investors to the country that's seen as a manufacturing
   peer to world factory powerhouse China.

   Their investment creates jobs and raises incomes among Vietnam's 97
   million people. Vietnam is now lower middle-income.

.