The Emerging Civil Society: An Initial Assessment of Civil Society in Viet Nam

In Viet Nam, as the Doimoi process moves forward, a wide range of civil society organizations have been established and tremendously developed. The people’s participation in the development process has been increasingly enhanced. However, substantial researches on civil society currently need to be conducted so as to clarify its roles, position and policies to encourage the people’s active participation, thus contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. Under the support from the UNDP, SNV and CIVICUS and the cooperation with local and international research institutes and experts, in 2005, the Viet Nam Institute of Development Studies (VIDS) carried out the project titled “Civil Society Index - Shortened Assessment Tool in Viet Nam”. This document is the Final report of the project. The main analysis presented in this report reflects the perceptions and standpoints of the National Assessment Group composed of representatives from such different organizations as academic, social, non-governmental ones and so forth in Viet Nam. This report took the efforts to introduce initial analysis on the current situations, comprising strengths and weaknesses, and prospects for the civil society in Viet Nam.