Government

Under the constitution of 1992, the country is called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The legislature is the National Assembly, whose members are popularly elected for five-year terms. The president (head of state) is elected from among the members of the Assembly and serves a five-year term. The president selects a prime minister (head of government) from among the members of the Assembly. The prime minister nominates Assembly members for cabinet positions, but the nominees must be approved by the president. Despite these democratic provisions, much of the decision making rests in the politburo (executive committee) of the Communist party.

The Supreme People's Court is the highest judicial body. It hears serious civil and criminal cases, as well as appeals of cases originating from lower people's courts and military courts.

Vietnam is divided into 58 provinces and 3 municipalities for local administration.