Export Promotion and Regional Development in Vietnam

Abstract: This thesis examines the connection between export promotion, economic growth and social welfare in Vietnam. The impact of different export directions is also analysed. Our main method is testing of simple correlations between the mentioned variables. The material used is mainly provincial statistics.We observe great regional differences in economic and social welfare, which have increased as Vietnam’s economy has been liberalised. However, poverty reduction has been successful. We find strong correlations between export and economic growth as well as between export and social welfare, even though the latter are not as obvious. Export to OECD is found more rewarding than export to ASEAN considering both GDP growth and social welfare.