In contrast to the Chinese model (dubbed the socialist market economy), the Vietnamese system is more explicitly characterized as an economy in transition to socialism and not as a form of socialism or even market socialism, with the process of building socialism seen as a long-term process. Consistent with Marxist theory, socialism is understood to only emerge once Vietnam's productive forces are developed to a point where socialism becomes a technical possibility.[1] As such, it is similar to the Chinese position on the primary stage of socialism.