Publications

Smart Village: Solutions for Sustainable Development of Rural Areas in EU, Lesson Learnt for Vietnam

One of the solutions towards achieving the higher commitments of the Sustainable Development Goals is to find appropriate ways to address economic inequalities, climate change, accessibility access to modern technologies and other necessary infrastructure. While the concept of smart city has been studied well such as "Smart City", the concept of "Smart Village" is still a matter of debate among scholars, researchers and policy makers. In fact, in recent years, the rural areas of the EU are facing increasing difficulties and challenges, which are the increasing decline of the rural population, the ongoing trend of population aging. In addition, income disparities are widening between rural and urban residents (GDP per capita in rural areas is 66% in EU-28 compared with 118% in urban areas). The proportion of people living in rural areas at risk of poverty and lack of social cohesion is higher in cities with 22.4% of the population compared with 21.3% in urban areas. Besides, in many remote rural areas, it is difficult for them to access public services, etc. With an objective to implement initiatives based on the global trend of building smarter and more sustainable communities, the European Union has launched an action program called “Smart Villages” in 2017. Accordingly, Smart Villages are understood as communities in rural areas that use innovative solutions to demonstrate resilience by exploiting local strengths and opportunities. Rural communities will rely on a participatory approach to implement development strategies to improve economic, social and environmental conditions on the basis of applying technology platforms and solutions. Models aimed at ensuring rural areas will continue to play an essential role in creating a stronger, resilient community, leading to more prosperous development.

Economic policy studies in the context of Vietnam's participation in new generation FTAs

Three studies on (1) Agriculture and Free Trade, (2) Development of Digital Currencies, (3) Vietnam's International Economic Integration

The new context presents many opportunities for the Vietnamese economy. First of all, this leads to an increase Vietnam's position in global trade, investment, and value-added chain. Strategic competition and policy adjustment of major economies help Vietnam take advantage of cooperation frameworks, strategic partnerships, and comprehensive partnerships. The implementation of signed FTAs helps Vietnam increase the quantity and improve the quality of trade and investment flows, diversify partners and participate in value chains led by the West. Then, the trend of digital transformation brings many benefits to the economy such as (i) promoting a change of mindset in policymaking and business operations to improve the productivity of the whole society; (ii) promoting technology transfer, narrowing the technology gap between enterprises in the value chain; (iii) opening up opportunities for service development and cross-border trade in services for Vietnam and other developing countries in the region. Moreover, climate change and new-generation FTAs are the driving forces to promote economic integration towards sustainability.

Guidance for the Elected Deputies in Handling People's Petitions

The Handbook is supported by KAS Vietnam

The Handbook provides NA deputies and People’s Councils’ deputies, staff of the Office of the National Assembly, office of parliamentary delegations with legal regulations on people’s reception and settlement of people’s complaints and denunciations. The handbook also supplies guidance and recommendation to the targeted groups in dealing with certain circumstances. The publication will help improve quality of people’s reception and administrative accusation settlement as well as enhance the role of the elected bodies in supervising voters' meetings and dealing with voters’ petitions.

Research - The EU Approach to Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific - from Strategy to Practice

Phase 1: European Indo-Pacific Strategies and Perception of Vietnam

The Indo-Pacific – spanning from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific Island States – is a region where the European Union (EU) has long enjoyed a broad and comprehensive relationship with its partners. The EU has currently showed its interest and clearer policies towards this region. To learn about the European Union’s approach to cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and impacts on regional countries, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH), VNU Hanoi and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Vietnam implement a research project entitled “The EU Approach to Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: from Strategy to Practice”. the project includes three phases; each phase conducted in one year. The earliest phase of the research looks at the EU’s strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region in general, the reasons why the EU has decided to adopt a strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, priority areas for its Indo-Pacific strategy, and expected impacts of the strategy. It then discusses the Indo-Pacific perspectives of three EU member states, namely France, Germany, and the Netherland, who were the first EU member states to develop their own strategies in the region, for in-depth study. The role that Vietnam plays in those strategies is briefly analyzed. The last part of the first report discusses how Vietnam, an increasingly important actor in the Indo-Pacific region, views the role of the EU and its member states and what expectations are associated with EU activities from Vietnam’s perspective.

One-year Implementation of European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA)

Impacts on the Vietnamese Economy and Policy Formation

The Report "One-year Implementation of European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA): Impacts on the Vietnamese Economy and Policy Formation" was prepared by the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR) with the support from the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in Vietnam.

International Relations in the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Region

A Publication by University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the support of KAS Vietnam

The book “International Relations in the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Region” embraces papers of 20 authors from Vietnam’s leading institutions of International Relations. Edited by Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh and Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, the book comprises three parts: (1) Policies of great powers in the Indo-Pacific region; (2) Trends of cooperation and competition in the Indo-Pacific region; (3) International relations of Vietnam in the Indo-Pacific region

Strategic Relations Between the US and Vietnam

How One-Time Rivals Virtually Became Best Friends in Light of the Rise of China

In late August 2021, Kamala Harris was the first US Vice President to visit the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi since establishing diplomatic relations with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 26 years ago. That her first trip to Asia after assuming office led her, besides Singapore, to Vietnam of all places, reflects the Southeast Asian state’s strategic importance for Washington. Hanoi, too, is aware of the significance attached to this “comprehensive partnership”. Yet they (still) refrain from calling it ‘strategic’ – a semantic consideration for their big neighbour to the North.

Leadership change at KAS Vietnam

Florian Constantin Feyerabend has been Resident Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Vietnam since August 2021. Mr Feyerabend has been working for the foundation in Germany and abroad since 2014.

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Vietnam mourns the departure of Dr. Köppinger

In memory of the Founder and first Resident Representative of KAS Vietnam

Current Resident Representative Florian Feyerabend about the death of his predecessor: "My sincere condolences to the family and friends of my predecessor and founding father of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Vietnam. His commitment was crucial for setting up our office in Hanoi. He was a true friend of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people."

Quarterly Economic Report II/2021

VEPR's Independent Assessment of Vietnam's Macro-economic Performance, with the support of KAS Vietnam

In Q2/2021, Viet Nam's economy grew at 6.61% (yoy). The growth in the agro-forestry-fishery, service and industrial sectors increased in the first half of 2021. The FDI sector played crucial roles in economic growth through exports.