Dec 1986

Doi Moi, "New Openness", declared. Free market economy begins. Greater personal freedoms granted.

As economic conditions in Vietnam improve, a U.N. High Commissioner of Refugees program of voluntary repatriation of boat people in Hong Kong and elsewhere took hold, running for almost a decade (to 1997).

Viet Nam starts a program to demobilize 800,000 PAVN troops, reducing the regular army from 1.2 million to 500,000 and the militia from 1.7 million to 1.6 million militia (many full-time soldiers). PAVN consisted of 14 military corps, 61 infantry divisions (48 regular infantry divisions and 13 economic construction divisions), 5 air divisions (including 1 helicopter division) and a large navy.

PAVN also included the paramilitary People's Regional Force of 500,000, largely light infantry companies, and the People's Self-Defense Force (reserve militia) of about 2.5 million.

Viet Nam substantially reduced its forces in Laos.

At Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, students and intellectuals demanded a more open political system at a democracy and reforms rally and the government sent in tanks and troops killing or wounding 1,000s.

Vietnam withdraws virtually all troops from Cambodia by September 1989.

1990

Last Vietnamese troops withdraw from Cambodia

The European Community (now the European Union) established official diplomatic relations with Viet Nam.

The People's Republic of China undertakes a major campaign to revive the image of Mao (who died in 1976).

Demobilization has reduced PAVN forces by some 500,000 (300,000 shy of the 800,000 target) to a force of 800,000 regulars and 1.6 million militia.

1991

Soviet Union collapses.

In the early 1990s the government ended price controls on most agricultural production, encouraged foreign investment, and sought to improve its foreign relations.

Viet Nam signed a peace agreement with Cambodia. The peace agreement also forged the way for strengthening relations with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Viet Nam restored diplomatic relations with China.

Viet Nam signed a 1976 ASEAN agreement on regional amity and cooperation, regarded as the first step toward eventual ASEAN membership.

Viet Nam established diplomatic relations with South Korea.

1992

Former anti-Vietnam War protester W.J. Clinton becomes President of the United States.

1994

United States removes a trade embargo against Vietnam.

Viet Nam and the United States agreed to exchange low-level diplomats, although full diplomatic relations (which involve opening embassies and appointing ambassadors) have not yet been established.

Communist Party launches a self-criticism campaign.

22,597 prisoners were released under a special amnesty to mark the 25th anniversary of South Liberation Day, and thousands of others had sentences reduced. Only two prisoners of conscience were known to have been released in the April amnesty.

As China took control of Hong Kong, some 3,000 Vietnamese boat people remained in Hong Kong.

A self criticism campaign launched by the Communist Party in 1999 continued throughout the year, as did campaigns against official corruption and crime. A revised Criminal Code came into effect in July. In the latter part of the year the country suffered the worst flooding in decades, resulting in the deaths of more than 500 people. In November

Outgoing President Bill Clinton became the first US president to visit the country since the Viet Nam war.

Per Amnesty International's 2001 Report on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, "Dozens of prisoners of conscience and possible prisoners of conscience remained in prison throughout 2000, and restrictions on released prisoners continued to be harsh. Political dissidents and religious critics of the government were subjected to surveillance, harassment and denial of basic freedoms, including freedom of expression. At least five possible prisoners of conscience were sentenced to prison terms. The government continued to prevent independent human rights monitors from visiting the country. More than 110 people were sentenced to death and at least 12 executions were carried out."