Vietnam is home to nearly 90 million inhabitants, and boasts a
long, pristine coastline. The country’s lush, tropical setting
belies a turbulent history of colonization and warfare that
ended with the establishment of the unified Socialist Republic
of Vietnam in 1975. In the years after unification, the country
was plagued by poverty, repression and international isolation
that hindered widespread economic prosperity. Today, Vietnam is
one of the world’s most populous countries and a large segment
of its population lives on less than US$2/day. According to the
World Bank, 22% of Vietnam’s population currently lives below
the poverty line, an economic reality that coupled with a long
history of warfare has contributed to poor infrastructure
development. In the 1980's, the country’s one-party government
introduced a series of reforms aimed at improving the economy
and living standards. The Doi Moi (renovation), as it’s called,
has made great advances since then—specifically in the areas of
growing private enter