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Vietnam has a long history of maintaining a double life. For more than 1000 years it resisted foreign domination by China, France, and the United States. This "closed," defensive stance was balanced by a genuine openness to, and admiration for, foreign cultures, including China, India, France, and the United States. It is also a country that was, and is, strongly influenced by great world religions, such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, and Christianity (Cao Xuan Pho, 1990; Pelger, 1993). In short, in language, music, art, religion, philosophy, and even political theory, Vietnam's profile is one of a multiple personality with a history of being both reclusive and gregarious.
Today, with a population of more than 70 million, half of whom were born after the end of the war with the United States, Vietnam fmds itself not only navigating a path between egalitarian socialism (che do moi was initiated in the late 1940s) and free-market capitalism (doi moi was adopted in 1986), but also attempting to blend the best of both worlds. To what extent the Vietnamese family in particular has been affected by these stresses and strains over the years, and to what degree the government has put forth specific policies directed toward women, children, and families, is the subject of this article.
PURPOSE OF THE ARTICLE
This presentation is divided into four major sections. Part one is devoted to a discussion of marriage law in Vietnam, with emphasis being placed on legislation passed in 1959 and 1986. Also included in this discussion will be a brief overview of the New Family Culture Campaign of the 1980s. The second section will focus on government-initiated family planning policy, particularly after the adoption of doi moi in 1986. What goals were established and have they been met? The third section will include a discussion of gender equity and to what extent doi moi has had a positive or negative impact on women's progress in Vietnam. And the final section will be devoted to the future of family policy in Vietnam. Specifically, what lessons can be learned from other developing countries that have shifted to a free-market economy and what policy initiatives might Vietnam consider in addressing the future needs of its women, children, and families?
METHODOLOGY
The...