A sole focus on economic growth leads to the exhaustion of natural resources, environmental pollution and climate change. An adjustment of national development strategies highlighting socio-ecological factors has become very urgent. In order to accomplish this goal and mission, each country’s measures need to reconsider the value of its socio-ecological systems to ensure the sustainability of development strategies. This insight is the foundation of the rapidly growing approach called the Social, Ecological, and Economic Transformation (SET/SEET).

As a so called “developing country”, Vietnam has been facing ecological and social problems in its transition to a socialist-oriented market economy. Therefore, this is an critical time for Vietnam to find solutions to contemporary socio-economic problems. Applying the Social, Ecological and Economic Transformation approach can bring innovative solutions to the current production methods and lifestyles in Vietnam.

The Institute of Policy and Management and the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Southeast Asia Hanoi Office have cooperated to implement the first research projects on the Social, Ecological and Economic Transformation in Vietnam. Their aim is to create knowledge that allows finding practical solutions to ensure a better future for all. The book is a miscellany of 27 articles by domestic and foreign authors that refer and analyze issues surrounding social, ecological, and economic transformation, from theory to practice, from practice to policy.