The role of Japan's official development assistance in implementing local development programs and its influence on Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations : the case of Da Nang city

Abstract

Due to the strategic economic role that Da Nang City plays in the development of Central Vietnam, and the advancement of the whole country of Vietnam and the Mekong Region, this city has become the main receiver and focal point of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA). This research analyzes the impacts of Japan's ODA projects over Vietnam's development by closely studying the ODA's experiences of Da Nang City. Two representative projects that were funded using Japan's ODA in Da Nang City were chosen as case studies to analyze the crucial role of Japan's ODA projects in the economic and social development of Da Nang City, Vietnam. Because of the importance of Japan's ODA projects in the overall development of Vietnam and in various localities, Vietnam's locality, Japan's ODA has greatly influenced the diplomatic relationships that exist between Vietnam and Japan. This research illustrates how Japan's ODA has been used in furthering the foreign policies of Vietnam and Japan and studies its impacts on the two countries' diplomatic relationships. The findings of this research have helped the author in making some recommendations on the effective handling of Japan's ODA at the local and national scales. The findings and recommendations in this study are expected to provide useful information which could help in the efficient management of ODA in Vietnam, and consequently lead to the improvement of the diplomatic relationships between Vietnam and Japan.