Vietnam Moral and Ethical Issues

Clearly technological development, especially in terms of IT, has significantly impacted social and family life within Vietnam. In terms of family life, the structure and view of the family as a unit has changed in several ways. In terms of society, the globalization as a result of IT development has significantly impacted on Vietnamese philosophy and ethics.

Globalization and Social Pressure

According to Duiker (119) the dominant philosophy of Confucianism resulted in an increased rigidity within the social and family structure. The preceding philosophy of Buddhism on the other hand emphasized the individual to such an extent that women for example had many of the rights enjoyed by men. Confucianism had the opposite effect, and women were severely oppressed under its prevalence.

The development of telecommunications however resulted in an increase of global business and contacts. The relative isolation in which Vietnam conducted its business and social matters was broken down and global pressure changed the way in which society, women and families were seen. Hence the breakdown of certain, perhaps more traditional families, while others became stronger.

Furthermore pressure from international ethicists served to make both men and women increasingly aware of ethical social issues such as women's rights and the environment. Such awareness has then translated to the family unit and to the way in which Vietnamese women...

Through the use of technology then, as described in Section II, families are able to keep in contact with each other, communicate and relate to each other by means of telecommunication. But information technology has not only had a local impact on Vietnamese society. It has also changed the way in which the country is seen from an international viewpoint.
Vietnam and International Business

International pressure has not only impacted on family and social life within Vietnam, but also on the business world, especially in terms of information technology. According to Ramsay, Vietnam stands at the dawn of huge economic growth and the global world is advised to invest in time to capitalize on this potential. Certain Vietnamese regulations in terms of IT ethics however remains somewhat rigid in terms of the rest of the world. This may be an indirectly remaining result of the generally accepted philosophy of Confucianism. Thus, while Vietnam is South-East Asia's fastest growing economy (Ramsay), certain ethical issues remain a factor in the global desire to invest.

Internet censorship is for example a major issue in this regard. James Wolfensohn, the president of the World Bank (Business Asia) holds the view that Vietnam needs to fully embrace information technology with all its implications and potential. If this is not done, the country cannot be a serious player in the global business world. Current censorship practices pertain mostly…