Overview of corruption and anti-corruption in Vietnam

Query

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Purpose

To inform anti-corruption initiatives we are considering conducting in partnership with the Government of Vietnam.

Content

1. Overview of corruption in Vietnam
2. Anti-corruption efforts in Vietnam
3. References

Summary

In spite of improvements over the past years, corruption is still considered widespread throughout the country and Vietnam still lags behind other Asian countries in terms of control of corruption and most governance indicators. Corruption affects different sectors such as health, education, construction, land management as well as natural resources and the extractive industries. The private sector is also affected by cumbersome legislation, which provides both incentives and opportunities for corruption.

Against this backdrop, the government has taken a number of steps to address governance and corruption challenges. The Anti-Corruption Law, adopted in 2005, criminalises several types of corruption, establishes asset disclosure requirements for governmental officials, and whistle-blower protection. A number of institutions which aim to fight corruption are now in place, including the Office of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption, the Government Inspectorate, the People's Procuracy, and the State Audit of Vietnam.

However, the sources consulted, as well as the Vietnam Government, acknowledge that these efforts have not brought about expected results, particularly due to a large implementation gap and lack of enforcement. In addition, as civil and political freedoms are limited, the capacity of media and civil society organisations to hold government accountable for its actions and decisions is restricted.

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