translation - 04

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INTRODUCTION

TRANSLATION 4 is a basic course book written for the second-year students of the
Department of English, College of Foreign Languages, Hue University. It is intended to equip the
students with an overview of translating Vietnamese and English economic texts. It also helps the
students get familiar with the terms related to economy as well as the typical structures
frequently used in economic texts.

Since the course book has been written for the students to learn either by themselves or in class
with a teacher, there will be a course book and assignments. The course book contains the
Vietnamese and English economic texts with notes and suggested translations. The assignments
contain the Vietnamese and English economic texts that will be translated into either English or
Vietnamese by the students.

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:
- obtain general knowledge of the Vietnamese and English economic documents.
- get familiar with and effectively use scientific and technological terms and typical structures
of economic texts in their translations.
- accurately translate economic texts into English and Vietnamese.

On the completion of this course book, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Dr. Ton Nu
Nhu Huong for her encouragement. I would also like to be grateful to Dr. Tran Van Phuoc and
other colleagues of the College of Foreign Languages for their kind help.

Errors are unavoidable in this course book. Therefore, I appreciate and welcome any criticism on
the course book.

Hue, November 14th, 2006
Nguyen Van Tuan

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Chapter 1: GENERAL ECONOMIC ISSUES

Lesson 1: REFORESTATION AN UPHILL BATTLE IN
MOUNTAINOUS TAY NGUYEN

Tay Nguyen- the authorities and people in Tay Nguyen (the Western Highlands) have a battle on
their hand to protect and restore forests that have been relentlessly chopped down.

Spread over nearly 55,000sq.km, the forests in these regions are the country‟s largest. Actually
covering 2.93 million ha, it is 230,000 ha less than five years ago. Of the four Tay Nguyen
provinces, Dac Lac is the one with the largest wooded area and also the one losing the most
canopy each year an average of 40,000 ha.

The reason for losing the provinces‟ “lung” is not hard to find- the inexorable emigration of
people to these areas from the rest of the country since 1990. The population growth in these
provinces has been a stagering5 to 6 per cent every year. And Dac Lac alone houses 2,200
migrants.

With the influx came the usual accompanying problems: pressure on forestland for housing,
cultivating and fuel.

Another reason has been the creased cultivation of commercial crops like coffee, pepper, and
rubber. The total area under these has risen to 567,000 ha- double the 1996 figure.
But the government has become aware of the havoc that denudation of the forest cover could
wreak.

“Tay Nguyen is seen as a common roof for the Central and South-eastern areas, but the region‟s
forests is enduring serious damage, illegal wood exploitation remains a headache, and the
environment is under great threat,” said Prime Minister Han Van Khaki when speaking about the
region‟s development.

He exhorted the Taiyo Nguyen provinces to keep a close eye on forest protection and
development, and set targets for the next five years to increase the area under forest cover in a bid
to ensure sustainable socio-economic development.


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The provincial authorities too have begun to get their act together. In ADC Lac, for instance,
billions of dong has been invested in aforestation activities under Programmes 327 and 661 and
the total reforested has reached about 10,000 ha.
But the figure is still minuscule when juxtaposed with the more than 200,000 ha that have been
felled since 1995.
Under the socio- economic development scheme for the 2001-05 period, Tay Nguyen‟s provinces
have earmarked over 2.93million ha of existing forest areas for protection while reforesting
500,000 ha, so that the total forest cover would reach 64.3 per cent by 2005, an increase of 10 per
cent over the current figure.
To reach the goal through, the provinces need to raise awareness among the population, innovate
sustainable products and manufacturing methods and improve forest management and protection.
The forest plantation and communal forest management departments should be further
strengthened while economic sectors and households should be urged to take an active part in
protecting and managing forest areas.
At the moment some areas in Dac Lac Province have been moving in that direction and local
residents have proven willing to protect and develop forest areas to which they are given
possession rights.
Notes:
- battle : trËn chiÕn

- to be chopped down : bÞ ®èn, bÞ chỈt
- emigration : di c-
- commercial crop: n«ng s¶n hµng ho¸
- to become aware of : ý thøc ®-ỵc
- sustainable : bỊn v÷ng
- to be strengthened : ®-ỵc t¨ng c-êng

Suggested Translation :
TRÄƯNG RỈÌNG ÅÍ CẠC TÈNH MIÃƯN NỤI TÁY NGUN ÂANG
L MÄÜT VÁÚN ÂÃƯ KHỌ KHÀN.

Táy Ngun-Chênh quưn v ngỉåìi dán åí Táy Ngun gàûp khọ khàn trong viãûc bo vãû v tại tảo
nhỉỵng khu rỉìng bë chàût phạ mäüt cạch nghiãm trng.
Våïi diãûn têch hån 50.000 km2, nhỉỵng khu rỉìng åí âạy l låïn nháút nỉåïc,chiãúm 2,93 ha nay chè cn
230.000 ha, tháúp hån 5 nàm trỉåïc âáy.


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L do máút âi “lạ phäøi” ca nhỉỵng tènh ny khäng khọ tçm ra, âọ l do sỉû di trụ ca nhỉỵng ngỉåìi
dán trong vng âãún nhỉỵng nåi khạc. Kãø tỉì nàm 1999, t lãû gia tàng dán säú ca nhỉỵng tènh ny tỉì
5 âãún 6% mäùi màm. Âàõc Làõc cọ khong 2200 häü dán di trụ.
Mäüt säú váún âãư khạc â ny sinh cng váún âãư ny :ạp lỉûc âäúi våïi âáút rỉìng cho viãûc xáy dỉûng nh
cỉía, träưng trt v láúy gäù.
Mäüt l do khạc l gia tàng viãûc träưng cáy kinh tãú nhỉ : cfã,tiãu v cao su, täøng diãûn tich â tàng
lãn567.000 ha-gáúp âäi con säú nàm 1990.
Nhỉng chênh ph cng â nháûn thỉïc âỉåüc váún âãư tn phạ ny s cọ thãø cn tráưm trng hån.

“Táy Ngun âỉåüc xem nhỉ mäüt mại nh chung cho cạc tènh miãưn trung v âäng nam. Nhỉng
rỉìng åí âáy âang bë tn phạ tráưm trng, nản khai thạc gäù trại phẹp váùn l mäüt váún âãư nhỉïc nhäúi,
mäi trỉåìng dỉåïi sỉû âe da nghiãm trng”.th tỉåïng chênh ph Phan Vàn Khi â nọi khi nọi

chuûn vãư sỉû phạt triãøn ca nhỉỵng tènh ny.
Th tỉåïng kãu gi cạc tènh Tay Ngun hy xem trng viãûc bo vãû v phạt triãøn rỉìng v âảt ra kãú
hoảch cho nàm nàm tåïi, â cọ thãø tàng diãûn tich rỉìng âỉåüc bo vãû nhàòm duy trç âỉåüc sỉû phạt triãøn
kinh tãú x häüi.

Chênh quưn cạc tènh cng â håüp tạc cng nhau. Thỉûc tãú l, hng t âäưng â âỉåüc Dàõc Làõc âáưu
tỉ vo viãûc träưng rỉìng bàòng cạc chỉång trçnh 327 v 661 v täøng diãûn têch rỉìng tại tảo â lãn âãún
khong10.000 ha.
Nhỉng con säú váùn cn ráút nh khi so sạnh våïi hån 200.000 ha â bë phạ hy kãø tỉì nàm 1995.

Dỉûa vo så âäư phạt triãøn kinh tãú x häüi trong giai âoản 2001-2005,cạc tènh Táy Ngun s âọng
khung hån 2,93 triãûu ha diãûn têch rỉìng âang cn âãø bo vãû trong khi tại tảo 500. 000 ha rỉìng,âãø
täøng diãûn têch rỉìng bao ph cọ thãø lãn tåïi 64,3% vo nàm 2005, tàng 10% so våïi con säú ban âáưu.
Âãø âảt âỉåüc kãú hoảch ny, chênh quưn cạc tènh cáưn phi tàng cỉåìng nháûn thỉïc cho ngỉåìi
dán,âäưng thåìi ỉïng dủng nhỉỵng phỉång tiãûn måïi nhàòm ci thiãûn cäng tạc qun l v bo vãû rỉìng.
Cäng tạc träưng rỉìng cáưn phi âỉåüc quan tám hån. Nghnh kiãøm lám cáưn tàng cỉåìng cäng tạc bo
vãû rỉìng. Cạc nghnh kinh tãú v cạc häü gia âçnh cáưn âọng mäüt vai tr têch cỉûc hån trong viãûc qun
l v bo vãû rỉìng.

Hiãûn tải, mäüt säú vụng åí tènh Âàõc Làõc â v âang âi theo hỉåïng vỉìa nãu. Chênh quưn âëa phỉång
â náng cao nháûn thỉïc vãư viãûc bo vãû v phạt triãøn nhỉỵng khu rỉìng m h â âỉåüc giao khoạn.

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Lesson 2 : VIETNAM SEEKS ASSISTANCE FOR HIGHLANDS
DEVELOPMENTS

Hanoi - Vietnam wishes to exchange experiences and co-operate with other countries in
making its mountainous regions prosperous and stable, says Hoang Duc Nghi, Minister
and Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Affairs.

Speaking at the World Mountain Forum held in French cities of Paris and Chambery last
week, Nghi said that the Vietnamese Government welcomes the UN declaration of 2002
as the International Year of Mountains.

Vietnam is facing difficulties and challenges in checking deforestation and degradation of
land resources, and is committed to pursuing areas strategy of protecting natural resources
through sustainable exploitation, he said.

Nghi met with French and other delegates and discussed measures to heighten co-
operation in the development of mountainous regions.

The forum adopted a resolution calling on 140 countries having forests and mountains in
the world to raise awareness of the important role of mountainous regions, define
orientations for sustainable development of the areas in coming years, and increase
exchange of experiences and co-operation.

The seven-day forum, jointly organized by France, the UN, EU, and the World Bank,
wrapped up on Monday.
Notes:
- stable : ổn định
- to face : đ-ơng đàu
- challenge : thách thức
- orientation : định h-ớng
- sustainable : phát triển bền vững

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Suggested Translation :
VIÃÛT NAM TÇM KIÃÚM SỈÛ GIỤP ÂÅỴ CHO VÁÚN ÂÃƯ PHẠT
TRIÃØN MIÃƯN NỤI

Theo äng Hong Âỉïc Nghi -Trỉåíng ban Dán täüc v Miãưn nụi,Viãût nam mong mún âỉåüc
trao âäøi kinh nghiãûm v håüp tạc våïi cạc nỉåïc bản nhàòm tảo sỉû phạt triãøn thënh vỉåüng v
vỉỵng chàõc åí miãưn nụi.

Phạt biãøu tải diãùn ân thãú giåïi vãư miãưn nụi täø chỉïc åí thnh phäú Pa-ri v Chàm-bå-ri ca
Phạp tưn vỉìa qua, äng Nghi nọi ràõng Chênh ph Viãût Nam ráút hoan nghãnh cäng bäú ca
Liãn Hiãûp Qúc coi nàm 2002 l nàm “Thãú giåïi vç miãưn nụi”.

Äng Nghi cng nháún mảnh thãm, Viãût nam âang âäúi màût våïi nhiãưu khọ khàn v thỉí thạch
nhỉ nản phạ rỉìng bỉìa bi, tçnh trảng thoại họa ti ngun âáút, cng nhỉ viãûc kiãn trç trong
chiãún lỉåüc v khai thạc mäüt cạch håüp l cạc ngưn ti ngun thiãn nhiãn.

Cng trong chuún âi ny, äng Nghi â gàûp v tho lûn våïi phại âon Phạp v cạc phại
âon khạc nhàòm tçm ra gii phạp tàng cỉåìng håüp tạc våïi nhau vç sỉû phạt triãøn chung ca
miãưn nụi.

Häüi tho â thäúng nháút kãu gi 140 nỉåïc trãn thãú giåïi cọ rỉìng nụi cáưn nháûn thỉïc r vai tr
quan trng ca miãưn nụi, âäưng thåìi âënh r hỉåïng phạt triãøn cng nhỉ viãûc tàng cỉåìng
trao âäøi kinh nghiãûm v håüp tạc giỉỵa cạc nỉåïc trong nhỉỵng nàm tåïi.

Phạp, Liãn Hiãûp Qúc, khäúi Cäüng Âäưng Cháu Áu v ngán hng thãú giåïi âäưng täø chỉïc häüi
tho diãùn ra trong 7 ngy v kãút thục vo thỉï Hai.

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Lesson 3 : ADB ASSISTANCE TO HELP FIGHT POVERTY,
CREATE MORE JOBS

Hanoi - Continued assistance from the Asian Development Bank will play an important role in
poverty alleviation, especially in creating more employment, says Deputy Prime Minister
Nguyen Tan Dung.

Receiving visiting ADB executive director Jeung-Hyun Yoon in Hanoi yesterday, Dung lauded
the valuable assistance that the Manila-based bank has rendered to the nations economic
reforms, rural development, human resource development and environmental protection.

The ADB has pledged loans worth US$2 billion since 1993 for 29 projects and preferential loan
programmes, of which $76 million is non-refundable, he noted.

Dung expressed his hope that the ADB will continue offering effective assistance for the
countrys reform programmes including the ongoing restructuring of State-owned enterprises and
renovation of the financial and banking sectors.

The ADB official said he was delighted to be visiting Vietnam at a time when its economy was
registering strong improvements.

He briefed the Deputy Prime Minister on the results of his one- week visit, saying it aimed to
strengthen co-operation in lending and borrowing operations through exchange of information
and assessment of the banks operations in the country. Yoon also expressed his desire to see
further development in Vietnam-ADB relations and pledged to co-ordinate more actively among
sponsors in finding investment on preferential terms.
Notes:
- the Asian Development Bank : Ngân hàng Phát triển Châu á
- play an important role : đóng một vai trò quan trọng
- poverty alleviation : xoá đói giảm nghèo
- executive director : giám đóc điều hành
- human resource development : phát triển nguồn nhân lực
- preferential loan programmes : ch-ơng trình cho vay -u đãi
effective assistance : sự giúp đỡ có hiệu quả
- reform program: ch-ơng trình cải cách

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- State-owned enterprise : doanh nghiƯp nhµ n-íc
Suggested Translation :
SỈÛ TRÅÜ GIỤP CA ADB S GIỤP CHÄÚNG ÂỌI NGHO V
TẢO THÃM VIÃÛC LM
Trong bøi tiãúp Giạm âäúc âiãưu hnh Ngán hng phạt triãøn Cháu Ạ (ADB) Jeung-Hyun Yoon
ngy häm qua tải H Näüi, Phọ Th Tỉåïng nỉåïc ta Nguùn Táún Dng â phạt biãøu ràòng sỉû tiãúp
tủc tråü giụp ca ADB s âọng mäüt vai tr quan trng trong viãûc xọa âọi gim ngho, âàûc biãût l
tảo thãm nhiãưu cäng àn viãûc lm. Phọ Th Tỉåïng cng cạm ån sỉû giụp âåỵ qu bạu ca ADB cọ
trủ såí tải Manila, Phi-lip-pin trong ci cạch kinh tãú, phạt triãøn näng thän, phạt triãøn ngưn lỉûc con
ngỉåìi v bo vãû mäi trỉåìng.
Ngán hng phạt triãøn Cháu Ạ â hỉïa cho Viãût Nam vay khon vay trë giạ 2 tè âä la M tỉì nàm
1993 cho 29 dỉû ạn v cạc chỉång trçnh vay ỉu âi trong âọ cọ 76 triãûu âä la khäng hon lải.
Phọ Th Tỉåïng Nguùn Táún Dng by t hy vng ràòng ADB s tiãúp tủc tråü giụp mäüt cạch cọ
hiãûu qu cho cạc chỉång trçnh ci cạch âáút nỉåïc bao gäưm viãûc ci täø cạc xê nghiãûp qúc doanh
âang diãùn ra v âäøi måïi cạc chi nhạnh ti chênh v ngán hng.
Äng Jeung-Hyun Yoon â phạt biãøu nọi lãn niãưm vui âỉåüc âãún thàm Viãût Nam vo thåìi âiãøm m
nãưn kinh tãú Viãût Nam â v âang âảt âỉåüc nhỉỵng tiãún bäü mảnh m. Äng cng bạo cạo våïi Phọ
Th Tỉåïng kãút qu ca mäüt tưn viãúng thàm Viãût Nam ca äng v nháún mảnh ràòng âọ l nhàòm
tàng cỉåìng håüp tạc trong lénh vỉûc vay v cho vay thäng qua viãûc trao âäøi thäng tin v âạnh giạ vãư
hoảt âäüng ca cạc ngán hng Viãût Nam.
Äng Yoon by t mong ỉåïc ràòng mäúi quan hãû giỉỵa Viãût Nam v Ngán hng phạt triãøn Cháu Ạ
s phạt triãøn hån nỉỵa v hỉïa s håüp tạc têch cỉûc hån våïi cạc nh ti tråü trong viãûc tçm kiãúm ngưn
âáưu tỉ vo cạc lénh vỉûc ỉu tiãn.

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Lesson 4 : POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
STRUCTURE

Viet Nam is a socialist republic furnished with a constitution since 1980 and based on a tripartite

political structure: the Communist Party of Vietnam, the people and the State. A characteristic
feature is the very important place occupied by the Party, which waged the liberation struggles
leading to the independence of North Viet Nam in 1954 and then to the reunification of the
country in 1975.

The Party, whose best known bodies are the Political Bureau, the Secretariat, the Central
Committee and the Congress, conducts the affairs of the country. It draws up the lists of
candidates for general elections from which delegates to the National Assembly are chosen; the
Assembly in turn elects the members of the Council of Ministers which appoints ministers to
head the ministries.

The party provides the leaders of the very active mass organizations which form the front for the
Fatherland and cover all sections of the population: labour, trade unions, Association of
Collective Farmers, Union of Women, Union of Youth, Union of Intellectuals, Union of
Catholics, and Union of Buddhists.

The administrative matters are carried out in four-tiered structure from the central level, down
through the 44 provinces, and the 519 districts to the 9,807 communes at the grassroots level.

Planning
Viet Nam's overall planning system is centralized, but there is flexibility in development
planning, investment programming, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of
sectoral projects. At central level, development policies are determined by the State Council and
Council of Ministers with the State Planning Commission providing technical guidance.

The State Planning Commission (SPC), as the technical arm of the Council of Ministers, plays
the leading role in national planning, investment programming, budget allocation and monitoring
of socio-economic development trends and sectoral performance. It coordinates plans for
donor assistance and identifies priority programmes for intervention, in collaboration with the
line ministries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Committee for Foreign Investment and

Cooperation, State Committee for Science, Committee on Aid Reception and the People's
Committees. The SPC formulates mid-term and annual investment plans and prepares the
relevant budgets for approval by the Council of Ministers. CERFC, the aid co-ordination
committee, works closely with SPC to identify government policies, plans and priorities.


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The General Statistics Office (GSO), also under the Council of Minister is responsible for
coordinating population censuses as well as the collection of statistics on socio-economic
development and the situation of children and women. The GSO provides information and
data support to the SPC for planning and programming purposes.

Decentralized development and planning
Under recent reforms, planning has been decentralized giving the sectoral implementing
ministries and peoples' committees at provincial, district and commune level, the freedom to
define their priorities and plans, subject to centrally-issued guidelines. In line with this
policy, sectoral planning units were established in the Social Sector ministries. Furthermore,
almost all the provinces and districts have established planning units which provide planning
and technical support to the Peoples Committees. The local government units are authorized
to utilize locally generated revenues and income to finance and implement their planned
programmes without relying on central government resources. This initiative can lead to
greater participation of the local government units in the delivery of basic services for
children and women. The area based development model can be applied to accelerate basic
services and enhance capacity in local planning, monitoring and evaluation. At the same time,
community interventions which would improve the living condition of women and their
families such as low cost appropriate technology, income generation, growth monitoring, etc.,
can be piloted in specific provinces or districts. However, the professional staff manning the
planning units need to be trained to widen their skills in management, planning and
monitoring activities.
Notes:

- political structure : thể chế chính trị
- to be furnished with : đ-ợc trang bị
- liberation : sự giải phóng
- reunification : sự thống nhất
- Political Bureau : Bộ Chính Trị
- Central Committee : Uỷ Ban Trung Ương, Ban Bí Th-
Trung Ương
- general election : tổng tuyển cử
- National Assembly : Quốc Hội
- Council of Ministers : Hội Đồng Bộ Tr-ởng
- the Front for the Fatherland : Mặt Trận Tổ Quốc
- Association of Collective Farmers : Hội Nông Dân Tập Thể
- to be centralized : tập trung
- State Planning Commission : Uỷ Ban Kế Hoạch Nhà N-ớc

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- budget allocation : việc phân bổ ngân sách
- priority programme : ch-ơng trình -u tiên
- in collaboration with : có liên quan đến
- State Commitee for Science : Uỷ Ban Khoa Học Nhà N-ớc
- Committee on Aid Reception : Ban Tiếp Nhận Viện Trợ
- The General Statistics Office : Cục Thống Kê
- locally generated revenue : ngân sách địa ph-ơng
- to be challenged : bị thử thách, bị thách thức
- data deficiency : thiếu hụt số liệu


Lesson 5 : THE ECONOMY, AGRICULTURE & FOOD
PRODUCTION

The Vietnamese economy is challenged by a number of development issues including
population growth, employment and wage levels, balance of payment deficits and inflation.
However, analysis of economic development in Viet Nam is constrained by the lack of
official statistics. Many are out of date by the time they are published. An attempt to remedy
this data deficiency has been under way for some time, and has recently resulted in the
publication of preliminary census estimates in April 1990. The State Planning Commission
and General Statistics Office in collaboration with the relevant ministries have been trying to
update the socio-economic data related to the development of the vulnerable groups and the
country's economic situation in general.

Trends in economic development and policy reforms
The economic and social development of Viet Nam has to be viewed in the context of the
long period of war which has caused great damage to people's lives and property as well as to
public facilities and resources. The war consequences and subsequent period of recon-
struction full of diff iculties has clearly been an overriding constraint to the development of
children and other vulnerable groups.

In the transition period after reunification, the nation endeavoured to develop with its own
limited resources. An agricultural collective programme was set up throughout the country.
Private trade and commerce were terminated and taken over by government-run entities.
Collective small handicrafts programmes were introduced. In the manufacturing sector,
strong emphasis was put on the development of heavy industries. However, the country's

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economy did not prosper. Food shortages, coupled with deficient basic services were felt
nation-wide. Children and mothers bore the consequences and the malnutrition prevalence
was high.
Despite attempts at economic reform in the early 1980s, Vietnam continued to buy
agricultural products abroad as the agricultural sector production declined. The few consumer
goods produced in the country were not sufficient to meet requirements as the manufacturing

sector was inefficient and constrained by inadequate infrastructure. Government revenues
dried up, eroding the State's ability to subsidize staples and the provision of basic services to
the public. The Government was forced to issue more banknotes, augmenting money supply.
The result was high inflation which in turn caused the economy to deteriorate further.

In December 1986, the Sixth Party Congress convened and set in motion a new policy
advocating "Doi moi", or renovation of the domestic economy. A five-year development plan
(1986-1990) was adopted with three major priorities, namely: to increase agricultural
production and attain self-sufficiency in food; to increase the availability and production of
consumer goods and to increase exports. These core economic reforms were addressed
comprehensively at different levels of production, processing, distribution and consumption.
A new investment law was passed to attract foreign investment. The economic liberalization
programme represented an attempt to solve constraints on a broad range of fronts, and was
accompanied by changes in various areas of country's social life.

The policy changes had some stimulating effects on production. In the farm sector, the
weather happened to be favourable in 1989, enabling grain production to recover, while the
manufacturing sector was on the mend. Industrial policy encouraged the development of
small industries while the agriculture sector remains a priority.

The multiple pricing system was gradually done away with, in favour of a single market
price. Trade in other products has been liberalized. The economic situation improved to some
extent in 1989. Inflation cooled substantially (see figure 11.1), although the commodity retail
price increase rate was still around 3-4 percent a month. Rice export earnings partly solved
the foreign exchange crisis and food shortages were reduced. Domestic trade and commerce
activities speeded up. In certain sector foreign investment operations in the country started.

Priority has been given to foreign investment projects which will benefit the three major areas
of development as well as improve the infrastructure and institutional development.
Notes:

- wage level : møc l-¬ng
- out of date : lçi thêi
- relevant ministry : bé cã liªn quan
- socio-economic data : sè liÖu vÒ kinh tÕ x· héi

13
- to cause damage to : gây thiệt hại
- context of war : hoàn cảnh chiến tranh
- transition period : thời kỳ quá độ
- to be taken over : đ-ợc tiếp quản
- manufacturing sector : bộ phận sản xuất
- food shortage : sự thiếu hụt l-ơng thực
- malnutrition : suy dinh d-ỡng
- economic reform : cải cách kinh tế
- consumer goods : hàng tiêu dùng
- to subsidize : bao cấp
- to issue : phát hành
- Congress : Đại Hội
- self-sufficiency : tự cung tự cấp
- core : chủ yếu, quan trọng
- to attract : thu hút
- multiple pricing system : hệ thống nhiều giá

Lesson 6 : ECONOMIC STRUCTURE

Gross Material Product (GMP)
An important feature in the development of the Vietnamese economy has been the changing
ratio of state and private ownership. Between 1976 and 1987, the state and co-operative
sector's share in the GMP rose from 58.9 to 75.0 per cent. This expansion was mainly due to
the drive for collectivization in the South. As a result, the private sector share fell from 41 to

25 per cent during the period. With the new economic policy on greater participation of the
private sector, particularly in manufacturing, trade and transport, the private sector share rose
to 28 percent and the state and co-operative contribution declined from 75 to 72 per cent in
1988.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
The GDP average growth rate was 3.4 per cent from 1984 to 1988. In 1989 with the economic
reforms, plus surplus food production and a slight increase of output in industry, trade and
commerce, a more positive economic growth of 5.7 per cent was attained. It is expected to
reach 8 per cent in 1990. Per capita income is still low, having increased from US$1 14.00 in
1985 to approximately US$150200 in 1989.

14

The 1988 GDP sectoral shares were agriculture 39.2 percent, industry 27.4 per cent,
commerce 11.8 per cent, transportation and communication and construction 2.0 per cent
each and other services 11.0 per cent.

Under the economic reform process, agricultural sector development is the main core of the
programme. It provides a livelihood for two thirds of the total labour force, and accounts
for 30 per cent of export earnings. Official data indicates that 53 per cent of agriculture
output is produced by individual farmers, 45 per cent by co-operatives, and 2 per cent by
state farms.

Industrial output is produced by state enterprises (more than 50 per cent), co-operatives
(more than 25 per cent) and by individuals (16 percent). There are 700 state enterprises,
engaged mainly in heavy industry. The provincial and district authorities control 2,300 light
industries. Co-operatives are dominant in small scale industries and individuals in
handicrafts.

Overall industrial output grew at an average annual rate of 10 per cent between 1984 and

1988, but heavy industry only recorded a 6 per cent annual rise, reflecting mixed
development initiatives. Light industry increased over 10 per cent annually with high
production rates of tea, salt, sugar, porcelain, and some export goods. However, some
locally produced goods (i.e. beer, matches, and cigarettes) could hardly compete with
imports which increased following the reduction in bordertensions and the introduction of
more liberal trading policies.

Vietnam is endowed with rich sources of energy, the major ones being the Quang Ninh coal
mine area, off-shore oil and gas fields in the south. In addition, the Mekong and Red rivers
have high potential for hydro-electric development. At present hydro-electric power
accounts for 25.7 per cent of the total power generated in the country (1988), and it has now
increased with the development of the Hoa Binh hydro-electric power plant which provides
rural electricity. The forest resources need to be developed and studied as they could be a
good source of energy in the future. Firewood currently constitutes the main source of fuel
for households in rural areas. Coal production is around 6-7 million tons per year and has
been growing gradually during the decade. The average yearly production of electricity was
almost 7 million KWh., 66 per cent thermo-electric. The per capita energy consumption is
fairly low at 109.1 KWh of electricity and 108.3 kilogrammes of coal (1988 figures).

The transport, communication and construction share in GDP has been insignificant.
This is a reflection of the low investment and monopoly by the state enterprises and
cooperatives. Under utilization of roads, railways, airports and harbours is also due to poor
maintenance and management.

15

Commerce accounts for about 12 per cent of GDP, with 60 per cent coming from sales of
agricultural products, the remainder being industrial and handicraft goods. In 1987 one
quarter of retail sales were estimated to be through the free market.

16
Notes:
- private ownership : quyền sở hữu t- nhân
- Gross Domestic Product : Tổng sản phẩm quốc nội
- per capita : tính theo đầu ng-ời
- commerce : th-ơng mại
- to compete with : cạnh tranh với
- to be endowed with : đ-ợc -u đãi
- potential : tiềm năng
- thermo-electric : nhiệt điện
- monopoly : độc quyền
- retail sale : bán lẻ

Lesson 7 : INVESTMENT

As the economy declined from 1984 to 1987, investment activities were greatly affected.
Total public investment declined from 12.7 per cent of GDP in 1984 to 5.1 per cent in 1989.
This reduction was partly caused by the government budgetary deficits and the desire to
further trim down the budget to reduce hyperinflation. In addition, foreign investment
entering the country was almost nil. However, with the economic reforms, the situation
started to improve from 1989 onwards.

Foreign Aid
The past development of Viet Nam has to some extent relied on assistance provided by
bilateral, multilateral and NGO donors. During 1987, development assistance totalled
US$148.3 million.

The funds sources were : bilateral agencies (63 per cent) with the German Democratic
Republic, Finland and Sweden as the biggest donors; multilateral agencies (31 per cent) with
UNDP, WFP and UNICEF playing leading roles; and NGOs (6 per cent).

Out of the total aid, 13 per cent went to health, 9 per cent to education, 26 per cent to population
planning, 14 per cent to humanitarian assistance, 4 per cent to science and technology and 2 per
cent for social welfare. The remainder was utilized for agriculture, natural resources, industry,
transport and communication.


17
In 1988, 72 per cent of the total labour force was working in the agricultural sector, 90 per
cent of them in co-operatives. The state sector (Government and state enterprises) employed
4.3 mill ion people (15 per cent of the total labour force). The central government had about
330,000 staff on its payroll, while local government services absorbed over 1.2 million. The
private sector employed 3.6 million people or 12.5 per cent of the national labour force.

In the 1980s Vietnam sent 220,000 workers overseas, 210,000 to socialist countries, and
10,000 to Africa and the Middle East. These numbers are expected to substantially decline
due to recent changes in Eastern Europe, thus increasing further the unemployment problems.
Wage trends and policies: In the past, the incomes of civil servants and state enterprises
employees included subsidized prices for rationed goods, subsidised housing, health,
transportation and use of otherpublic utilities. Individual contributions for pensions and social
security were minimal, as most of these expenses were financed from the national budget.

In January 1989, the Government implemented a comprehensive restructuring of the wages of
government workers with a consolidation of consumer subsidies into the nominal wage
structure. Though the minimum wage increased from 5,497 dong to 22,500 dong per month
(equivalent US$5.35), real salaries have declined substantially as a result of high inflation
between 1985-1988.

Pricing
In 1981, the Government introduced a number of measures to bring the administrative prices

in the North closer to the free market prices. During 1985, another price reform was initiated
to reduce price distortions and do away with subsidies at all levels of the economy.
The system of differentiated consumer prices was abolished, but the rationing system for
essential consumer goods (rice, sugar, kerosene, soap, fish sauce, and pork) was retained. The
effect was a ten fold increase in the price of rice between 1987 and 1990. The current price of
rice is 800-1,000 dongs per kilogramme depending on quality. However, social benefit items
such as electricity, water, house rent, medicines and paper are still subsidized by the
Government. Currently the pricing of agricultural and industrial goods fairly reflects actual
market prices.

Inflation rate
Between 1985 and 1988, the average annual inflation rate was almost 300 per cent. In 1986 it
reached 487 per cent. The effect of government fiscal monetary reform was to bring down the
monthly inflation rate to an average of 14.5 per cent in 1988 and only 2.3 per cent in 1989


18
Fiscal development
Government revenues generated from all sources are inadequate to support the recurrent and
capital expenditures for development. Although the Government has introduced several
economic, fiscal and monetary measures, it cannot move ahead with its plans because of the
limited finance available. In 1984, the budget deficit amounted to 18 per cent of total expenditure
in 1984 and 42 per cent in 1989. To resolve the situation and carry out the planned expenditures,
financial assistance was obtained through foreign loans and grants, state banks and bonds.
A decade before 1988, the impact of the banking system on macro-economic management
and development was minimal. To encourage the system to play a more constructive role, the
Government introduced new measures including; re-organization of the banking system;
introduction of restrictive credit policies; a new interest rate policy; and the liberalized
trading of gold in the market.
Under the pressures of a high domestic imbalance, overvalued currency, and budget deficits,

the balance of payments eroded continuously between 1984 and 1988.
During 1988, the outstanding external debt reached US$9,703 million. Of this total, 67 per
cent was in non-convertible currencies, 33 per cent in convertible currencies. More than 20
per cent of the external debt in non-convertible currencies, and 61 per cent in the convertible
currencies, is in arrears.
Notes:
- budgetary deficit : sự thâm hụt ngân sách
- multilateral : đa ph-ơng
- bilateral : song ph-ơng
- social welfare : phúc lợi xã hội
- comprehensive : toàn diện
- administrative price : giá cả do nhà n-ớc quản lý
- to be abolished : bị bãi bỏ
- to be initiated : đ-ợc khởi x-ớng
- annual inflation rate : tỷ lệ lạm phát hằng năm
- revenue : nguồn thu
- foreign loans and grants : các khoản vay và viện trợ
n-ớc ngoài
- fiscal : thuộc về tài chính
- macro-economic management : sự quản lý kinh tế vĩ mô
- restrictive credit policy : chính sách tín dụng hạn định
- under the pressure : d-ới áp lực

19
- domestic imbalance : sù mÊt c©n ®èi trong n-íc
- interest rate policy : chÝnh s¸ch vÒ l·i suÊt
- non-convertible : kh«ng thÓ chuyÓn
®æi
Lesson 8: AGRICULTURE

Economic role of agriculture
The agricultural sector accounted for 38 per cent of the country's total output value, 49 per cent of
national income and 42 per cent of total exports in 1987. In 1989 agricultural exports included
food as well as industrial crops.That year, Vietnam held third place on the world rice export
market with 10-15 per cent of the total. The agricultural exports enable the delta to procure inputs
(fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) in order to maintain and increase yield and be competitive on the
international market.

Agricultural Food Production Systems
Food is produced in Viet Nam by three different, but complementary farming systems: the state,
the collective and the family. The state farms are mainly involved in cash crop production and the
development of new technologies. The collective farms are responsible for national foodstuff
production, particularly paddy. Families farm plots of land (from 300 to 1,000 square metres,
depending on the region) around the house, growing a variety of grains, fruits and vegetables and
raising livestock and fish. In 1983, the Government began encouraging distribution of land to
individual farm families for production under a contract system and the December 1986 Party
Congress confirmed the importance of family farming for food self-sufficiency. Family farming
is now recognized as the main basis for development. Families are free to sell more of their
produce at negotiated or market prices and they have become the main source of livestock, fish,
fruit and vegetables. The co-operatives have started to allocate larger plots of land to families.
However, the co-operatives remain the focal points for distribution of inputs and services, and the
collection of taxes and fees. It is generally admitted that these new initiatives have been an
incentive to food production and the appearance of more food in the markets.

Land use
About a fifth of Viet Nam's total land area of some 33 million hectares is arable: of this only 20
percent is now cultivated. About four fifths of the land cultivated is devoted to rice paddy,
particularly in the delta areas. However, yields are low: two thirds of the Mekong delta produce
only one crop a year.
Half of the cultivated land lies in the long and narrow coastal strip and the highland. This region,

which covers 89 per cent of the country's total land area and contains 58 per cent of the population,
has great potential for further agricultural expansion but investment costs would be high as the
infrastructure is currently weak.

20


21
Production and Yields
Rice represents 86-88 per cent of the total food crop production. From 1976 to 1989, the per hectare
paddy yield increased from 2.2 tons to 3.2 tons, which is similar to the average yield of other Asian
developing countries.

The other food crops (maize, cassava, Irish and sweet potatoes, soybeans, groundnuts and other
staple foods) have yielded an average of two tons per hectare since 1984.
The main constraints to improvements in crop yield are the lack of fertilizers (currently the lowest
in Asia), insufficient pesticides due to a shortage of foreign exchange; problems with the seed
multiplication system; inequities in the geographical distribution of agricultural supplies (the North
is highly privileged and the central areas deprived); lack of spare parts and poor maintenance of
farm equipment; inappropriate machinery for family farm use.

Production
From 1976 to 1989, total food production increased to 7.9 million tons. The food production
increase from 1976 to 1981 was due to an extension of the cultivated paddy area, but from 1981 to
1989 it was due to an improvement in the rice yield. At the same time, the area of cultivation of
other food crops has not increased significantly. It appears that the food policy in V iet Nam has
emphasized paddy, while rather neglecting support for other food crops so their production growth
has been irregular. This irregularity is an element of food insecurity and an indicator of structural
difficulties in managing production factors.

Vietnamese agriculture is thus becoming virtually a rice monoculture creating a monotonous and
high starch diet for the population and aggravating the potential risks of natural disasters and pest
hazards.

Half of the cultivated land lies in the long and narrow coastal strip and the highland. This
region, which covers 89 per cent of the country's total land area and contains 58 percent of
the population, has great potential for further agricultural expansion but investment costs
would be high as the infrastructure is currently weak.

Geographical variations in food production
Food production varies from one province to the next. The Mekong delta is a grain surplus area,
while the Red River delta and central regions are traditionally grain deficient. The production of
roots and tubers tends to be concentrated in the northern, central and coastal provinces (cassava
and sweet potatoes) and in some provinces of the Red River delta (Irish potatoes).


22
Food availability
The per capita food availability figure is a theoretical measurement of food supply, calculated by
dividing the total food produced by the number of inhabitants. In Viet Nam the figure is given in
terms of rice paddy and all secondary food crops such as maize, cassava, potatoes, sesame,
soybeans and groundnuts are given an equivalent value. Pulses and oilseeds are not included, but
nor is any allowance made for post-harvest losses, seeds or milling so the figure may be slightly
overestimated.

A theoretical food availability of 300 kilogrammes of paddy per year can be roughly estimated at
1,600 calories per person per day. However, according to food consumption surveys, basic
foodstuffs represent 85 percent of the total calorie intake, so the food availability of 300
kilogrammes gives a potential 1,840 calories per person per day. But this is still 260 calories
below the accepted requirement, so the country can hardly be termed self-sufficient until the food

availability figure reaches 340 kilogrammes of paddy per person per year. Moreover, the national
average value does not take regional variations into account. These are particularly significant in
Viet Nam where the distribution and transportation infrastructure is weak.

From 1983 to 1986, the food availability was around 300 kilogrammes paddy. In 1987, food
production decreased due to typhoons, floods and rice pests and there were estimated to be only
280 kilogrammes paddy-equivalent/per year per inhabitant, covering only 82 per cent of the
energy requirement. The central provinces experienced severe shortages that year. In 1988, the
harvest was much better, so production reached 307 kilogrammes paddy per inhabitant. In 1989,
growth was maintained, surpassing the population growth rate for the first time. The food
availability figure was given as 310 kilogrammes. It would have been 332 kilogrammes if the 1.4
millions of rice had not been exported. The spectacular progress in 1988 and 1989 was due to
increases in the paddy yield. Indeed with great dependency on rice, the Vietnamese diet has
become more and more monotonous and unbalanced. Thus the quantitative and qualitative
insufficiency of the food production is a basic factor of malnutrition in Vietnam.

Inter household distribution of energy intake
A survey undertaken by the National Institute of Nutrition of 1,251 households, showed that 9
percent were experiencing starvation (below 1,500 calories per person per day), 15 per cent
suffered from food shortages (1,500-1,800 calories per person per day), and 23 per cent were in a
more or less satisfactory situation (1,800-2,100 kcal) and 54 per cent had over 2,100 kcal/day,
considered satisfactory.
The energy availability distribution varies widely from one region to another. The central region
experiences serious food shortages with 34 per cent of the households in the northern central
provinces and 20 percent in the south central province consuming less than 1,800 calories per
person per day. This is where the food situation requires urgent intervention.


23
There are also seasonal variations in food consumption. Just before the rice harvest calories

intake decreases by up to 15 per cent. Given the very low normal intakes, even a slight decrease
can lead to starvation as happened during the bad harvest year of 1987. An additional factor
causing temporary food shortages is the weather : the central provinces, particularly, often suffer
from floods and typhoons which destroy harvests and food stores.

National and regional food consumption patterns
Rice is the main staple food in all regions of Viet Nam. Other staples are little consumed.
The quantity of pulses and oilseeds (sesame) in a meal is very low. The consumption of milk,
eggs, sugar and fruit is also low nationwide. An average of only 18 grammes of meat per day is
consumed. Vietnamese, especially those living in the southern central and Mekong delta
provinces, derive more protein from fish and sea products. Vegetable consumption is
sufficient overall, but with important regional variations; twice as many are consumed in the
northern mountains as in the Mekong Delta. The Vietnamese diet contains very little fat; the
lipid intake is believed said to be one of the lowest in the world.
Notes:
- to account for : chiếm
- output : năng suất, đầu ra
- industrial crop : cây công nghiệp
- to be involved in : dính líu đến, có
liên quan đến
- cash crop : nông sản hàng hoá
- contract system : chế độ khoán
- plot of land : thửa đất
- It is admitted that : ng-ời ta thừa nhận
rằng
- to be cultivated : đ-ợc canh tác
- one crop a year : sản xuất 1 năm 1 vụ
- coastal strip : vùng đất duyên hải
- expansion : sự mở rộng/sự phát triển
- paddy yield : năng suất lúa

- cassava : cây sắn ( mì)
- sweet potato : khoai lang
- seed multiplication system : hệ thống/cơ sở nhân
giống
- spare part : phụ tùng
- maintenance : bảo d-ỡng/bảo trì

24
- extension : sù më réng
- to emphasize : chó träng
- food crop : c©y l-¬ng thùc
- rice monoculture : ®éc canh c©y lóa

25
Lesson 9: SỰ ỔN ĐỊNH VÀ PHÁT TRIỂN KINH TẾ TRONG
NHỮNG NĂM QUA

1. Bộ Nông nghiệp và Phát triển Nông thôn yêu cầu tất cả các uỷ ban nhân dân tỉnh và thành
phố cùng các bộ liên quan duy trì việc phòng dịch nghiêm ngặt. Các địa phương được yêu cầu
quản lý chặt gia súc nhiễm bệnh và cấm buôn bán vận chuyển gia súc bị bệnh. Việc tiêu huỷ gia
súc bị bệnh được thực hiện theo các qui định của cơ quan y tế. Ông tin rằng việc tiêm phòng
đóng một vai trò quan trọng trong việc bùng phát bệnh lở mồm long móng ở Việt Nam trong
tương lai.

Notes:
- Bộ Nông nghiệp và Phát triển Nông thôn : The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development
- uỷ ban nhân dân tỉnh: provincial people‟s committee
- duy trì: maintain
- phòng dịch nghiêm ngặt: strict prevention of the epidemic

- gia súc nhiễm bệnh: infected domestic animal/livestock
- cấm: ban/prohibit/forbid
- buôn bán vận chuyển: trade and movement
- Việc tiêu huỷ: culling
- việc tiêm phòng: vaccination
- bùng phát bệnh lở mồm long móng: foot-and-mouth outbreak


2. Năm 2005, doanh thu thương mại của điện tử Samsung đạt 233 triệu USD. Nhưng đến năm
2006, ước tính con số này là 335 triệu USD. Với phương châm chậm nhưng chắc, một dự án
liên doanh mang tên Savina (Samsung Vietnam) đã hình thành và bắt đầu hoạt động với tổng số
vốn đầu tư là 78 triệu USD. Samsung đã huy động vốn là 300 triệu USD ở nhiều lĩnh vực như
điện tử, sợi tổng hợp, nhà cho thuê. Còn những dự án khác thuộc các lĩnh vực như công nghiệp
nặng, công nghiệp chế biến và xây dựng thì vẫn đang là nghiên cứu khả thi. Hiện nay, Samsung
là nhà tài trợ lớn ở Việtnam. Ngoài việc tài trợ cho nhiều giải vô địch thể thao qui mô lớn-nhỏ,
Samsung đã cấp 1,2 triệu USD cho các chương trình học ngoại ngữ và huấn luyện thể dục.

Notes:
- doanh thu thương mại: turnover/revenue/trade returns
- đạt: reach/achieve
- ước tính: estimate
- con số: figure
- phương châm: motto/slogan
- dự án liên doanh : joint venture project
- hình thành: come into being/existence
- số vốn đầu tư : investment capital
- sợi tổng hợp: synthetic fibre
- công nghiệp chế biến : processin industry
- nghiên cứu khả thi: feasibility study