In January 2007, Viet Nam was admitted as the 150th member country of the WTO. It was widely recognised that this would bring many new opportunities to Viet Nam, but would also pose many challenges, especially in ensuring that the full benefits of WTO membership are shared by the whole of Viet Nam's population, including poor and vulnerable people.
In this context, ActionAid Viet Nam (AAV), Oxfam Great Britain (OGB) and Oxfam Hong Kong (OHK) started the 'Post WTO' poverty monitoring initiative in early 2007. However, the time frame of this initiative also happened to coincide with the onset of the global economic crisis and so the studies provide further valuable insights into the effects of the crisis on poor and vulnerable people in Viet Nam.
The initiative is intended as a longitudinal study of poverty outcomes, linked with changes in livelihoods and market access of vulnerable groups, in selected communities and cities throughout Viet Nam. The intention is to provide analysis and recommendations for policy discussion as well as for the work of Oxfam, AAV and partners.
