A sustainable economic development model friendly to the environment will be indispensable for Vietnam in its push to become a modern and industrialised nation by 2020.

In a bid to become a modern industrialised nation, Vietnam has joined a number of regional economic organisations including ASEAN, AFTA and APEC, however, it is the country’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation, which is proving to be the biggest challenge to economic reformers. VIR’s Mai Anh explores the challenges and opportunities for the nation on the road to integration, as well as the positive outcomes that have already come about since Vietnam started its renewal process.