Research on World Agricultural Economy

Vietnam’s Agricultural Policy across Various Phases (POST‑1976)

Tai Nguyen

Nguyen

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v6i2.1610

Received: 20 December 2024; Published: 1 April 2025

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Abstract

Since 1976, Vietnam's agricultural policy has experienced substantial modifications through various distinct eras, mirroring the nation's changing economic and social goals. During the post-war era (1976–1986), the government prioritised economic recovery via collectivisation and the formation of agricultural cooperatives, seeking to consolidate the nation’s agricultural framework following years of turmoil. This centralised approach was ineffective, resulting in stagnation and ongoing food shortages. The Renovation Period (1986–1993), characterised by the Đổi Mới reforms, signified a crucial transition to a market-oriented economy. This period afforded increased autonomy to agricultural households, abolished stringent collectivisation frameworks, and promoted private sector participation in food production. Consequently, agricultural productivity surged, especially in rice exports, establishing Vietnam as a global leader in this domain. In the Expansion Phase (1993–1998), the government capitalised on these advancements by enhancing land tenure rules, augmenting access to credit, and implementing sophisticated technologies to increase efficiency. There was a focus on enhancing agricultural exports to earn foreign cash, thereby further integrating Vietnam into global markets. The Consolidation Phase (1998–2008) emphasised modernisation, linking agriculture with overarching economic development objectives via trade liberalisation and significant investments in rural infrastructure. Notwithstanding these achievements, apprehensions regarding long-term sustainability, environmental degradation, and global competitiveness arose by 2008. In response, the government recalibrated its policy through measures such as the Tam Nong Resolution, emphasising high-value agriculture, environmental sustainability, and the enhancement of rural livelihoods. This holistic strategy sought to harmonise productivity with environmental and social factors, thereby guaranteeing the sector's resilience in a progressively competitive global environment.

Keywords: Vietnam Agricultural Policy; Renovation Period; Tam Nong Resolution

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