Asia | Vietnam
Hero to zero
The Communist Party sticks to its principles and the economy stalls
|HANOI
AMID the bustling trade and raucous traffic of the Vietnamese capital, innumerable banners exhort citizens to “Celebrate the Spring, Celebrate the Party.” These days, Hanoians do not have much to celebrate. Not long ago, Vietnam was one of the developing world's pin-ups. Now it is lagging badly.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline "Hero to zero"
From the March 31st 2012 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Asia
Japan and South Korea are struggling with old-age poverty
Their problems may be instructive for other countries
The Philippines bans some genetically modified foods
But golden rice could help thousands of nutrient-deficient children
Meet the maharajas of the world’s biggest democracy
Indian officialdom still treats citizens like subjects