THE IMPACT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM’S TRADE POLICY DURING THE WAR ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHERN VIETNAM (1960–1975)

This study aims to analyze the impact of the Republic of Vietnam’s trade policy on the economic development of Southern Vietnam during the period 1960– 1975. Employing a historical–logical method in combination with interdisciplinary approaches such as comparison, statistics, analysis, synthesis, and archival research, the study draws on diverse sources, including statistical yearbooks, reports of the General Department of Customs, official gazettes of the Republic of Vietnam, as well as archival documents and related scholarly works. The research focuses on several key issues: import policies tied to dependence on U.S. aid; the decline in exports and the persistence of chronic trade deficits; the management of foreign exchange and tariffs; along with the indirect effects of war on trade. Findings indicate that trade policies contributed to ensuring the supply of goods and stabilizing urban life, but at the same time increased dependency, distorted the economic structure, and fuelled inflation. These results provide a scientific basis for drawing implications regarding the necessity of independence and autonomy in trade policy-making, while also contributing valuable materials to the study of modern Vietnamese economic history.