SUMMARY
Following the promulgation of a relatively progressive foreign investment law in late 1987-aimed at attracting western capital, technology, know-how and gaining access to global (and convertible currency) markets–Vietnam has gained a significant degree of interest amongst foreign companies. This paper profiles Vietnam's host country business environment, depicts the character of foreign direct investment so far undertaken (and its legislative background) before assessing the perceived attractions of the Vietnam host market, and the problems encountered by those intrepid firms that have entered this relatively uncharted new market. The empirical evidence emanates from a survey conducted into the experiences of British companies operative in Vietnam between 1988 and 1993.