ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates the forms and substance of civil society in Vietnam. After an overview of the rules and regulations that govern the establishment and operation of civil society organizations (CSOs), Wischermann and Phuong characterize local politicians’ views on civil society, followed by societal actors’ views of civil society and CSOs. They then delineate how the relationships between CSOs and the state have developed over time, and the roles CSOs play within the Vietnamese political system. Finally, they address the newly and controversially discussed question of whether Vietnamese CSOs are supporters of, or obstacles to, processes of democratization in their country.
