Abstract

The state sector playing the leading role is the perception that has been consistently specified in documents of the Communist Party, since the seventh National Congress. The affirmation of the state sector’s leading role is to clarify the nature and characteristics of the socialist-oriented market economy. The leading role of the state sector means the state sector pioneers and leads in the market economy which is reflected by the holding of crucial positions and activities in the economy. After nearly 30 years of reform, the connotations of the leading role of the state sector and the key position of state-owned enterprises have been gradually defined; the state sector and state-owned enterprises have been differentiated. The state sector plays a leading role in a multi-sector economy in which the state-owned enterprises keep a “crucial position” and are a material condition to orient socialism. The state sector, however, is yet to clearly show this role. The state sector has a tremendous influence with some components of it directly affecting the whole economy, which are resources, infrastructure, state budget etc. Because of the above - mentioned reasons, the state sector is the foundation to the social and economic development in the socialist-oriented market economy of Vietnam.