Official name

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Form of state

One-party rule

The executive

The cabinet is constitutionally responsible to the National Assembly, which is elected for a five-year term

Head of state

The president, currently Nguyen Minh Triet

National legislature

The unicameral 493-member Quoc Hoi (National Assembly) meets biannually and typically serves a five-year term. The assembly appoints the president and the cabinet

Local government

Centrally controlled provinces and municipalities are subdivided into towns, districts and villages, which have a degree of local accountability through elected People's Councils

Legal system

The regional people's courts and military courts operate as courts of first and second instance, with the Supreme Court at the apex of the system

National elections

Elections for the National Assembly took place in 2007; the next are due in May 2011

National government

The Communist Party of Vietnam, and in particular its politburo, controls both the electoral process and the executive

Main political organisations

The Communist Party of Vietnam (general secretary: Nguyen Phu Trong); the Vietnam Fatherland Front

Main members of the cabinet

Prime minister: Nguyen Tan Dung

Deputy prime ministers:

;Nguyen Sinh Hung

;Pham Gia Khiem

;Hoang Trung Hai

;Nguyen Thien Nhan

;Truong Vinh Trong

Key ministers

Agriculture & rural development: Cao Duc Phat

Construction: Nguyen Hong Quan

Culture, sports & tourism: Hoang Tuan Anh

Education & training: Nguyen Thien Nhan

Finance: Vu Van Ninh

Foreign affairs: Pham Gia Khiem

Industry & trade: Vu Huy Hoang

Information & communications: Le Doan Hop

Interior: Tran Van Tuan

Justice: Ha Hung Cuong

Labour, war invalids & social affairs: Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan

National defence: Phung Quang Thanh

Natural resources & environment: Pham Khoi Nguyen

Planning & investment: Vo Hong Phuc

Public health: Nguyen Quoc Trieu

Transport: Ho Nghia Dung

Central bank governor

Nguyen Van Giau