Economics
China Tension, Crippling Drought to Test Vietnam's New Premier
- Dropping oil revenue and drought in rice region hurt economy
- New leaders expected to continue closer relationship with U.S.
Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Photographer: Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
A crippling drought in the Mekong Delta rice bowl and slumping oil revenue are creating fresh headwinds for Vietnam as a new prime minister with less economic experience prepares to take over.
For Nguyen Xuan Phuc, a behind-the-scenes technocrat, the challenges facing the communist leadership have increased since he was nominated for premier at a twice-a-decade party congress in January.