Vietnam became part of French Indochina in 1887 and did not regain its
independence again until after the Vietnam War. However, despite a
relatively peaceful two decades the country experienced little economic
growth because of conservative leadership policies. In an effort to
change this stagnation, Vietnamese authorities have committed to
economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to
modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven
industries. The third edition of this dictionary focuses on the recent
changes and leadership of Vietnam while giving due attention to the
earlier kingdoms, the period of French Indochina, the wars for
liberation, the Vietnam War, and much more. Hundreds of cross-referenced
A to Z dictionary entries are included on political, economic, social
and cultural aspects as well as the major cities and geographic
features. This book also contains a chronology and introduction that
traces Vietnam's history, as well as a bibliography.