Vietnam ranks 68th in budget transparency: survey

The Open Budget Survey, done by the International Budget Partnership, gives Vietnam’s government a transparency score of 44 out of 100, slightly lower than the global average of 45.

It has risen from 38 points in 2019 and 15 points from 2017.

In Southeast Asia, Vietnam ranks higher than only Cambodia and Myanmar.

Vietnam's budget transparency score compared to Southeast Asian countries. Photo courtesy of the International Budget Partnership

Indonesia tops the region with a score of 70, nine higher than the regional average.

Globally, Georgia ranks first with 87 points, followed by South Africa (86) and New Zealand (85).

The survey gives Vietnam high scores in enacted budget (78 out of 100), citizens budget (92), in-year report (70), and audit report (67), but the pre-budget statement and executive’s budget proposal score only 33 and 35.

IBP also included two other indexes, public participation and budget oversight, in the survey, with Vietnam ranking 43rd and 13th, respectively.

The IBP praised Vietnam for the increase in availability of budget information, but recommended the country provide a mid-year review; include a complete macroeconomic forecast and information on fiscal risks in the executive budget proposal; and improve the comprehensiveness of the pre-budget statement.

The survey rates budget transparency on a scale of 0-100, with 61 and above indicating sufficient transparency.

It evaluates eight key budget documents from the central or federal government, and whether they are made public in a timely manner and provide comprehensive information.