Vietnamese Agriculture before and after Opening Economy

Abstract

The output of paddy has been increased from 16.4 million tons in 1987 to 50.4 million tons in 2015, with average food per capita doubling from 275 kg/person (1985) to 550 kg/person (2015). Exports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in 2017 reached USD 36.7 billion, an increase of 14.05% over 2016. The main causes of this strong growth have been the economic transition from only two main business sectors in agriculture, namely state-owned farms and agricultural cooperatives to more diversify economic activity; and a shift from the centralized economy to a market economy. The most impressive leap was after the 10-NQ/TW Politburo Resolution in 1988. Resolution 10 derestricted farmers, allowing a market economy to emerge.