Since the late 1980s, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar began opening their economies to international trade and investment. With the exception of Myanmar, the reforms have yielded impressive results, but the process is far from complete. In this enlightening book, a group of leading scholars outline the continuing reform efforts needed to survive the current global recession and place these economies in a competitive position on the recovery of the world economy. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008, this topical book analyses the opportunities and threats to continued globalization for the Mekong four, particularly in relation to rapid industrialization through joining the production networks of East Asia. It then assesses the political will for sustaining the reform process. This book will be an important resource for national government agencies, such as the department of foreign affairs and aid agencies that have significant bilateral relationships with the Mekong four - namely, Australia, Canada, Japan, Scandinavia, and the USA. International financial institutions that have existing (or potential) business links with the Mekong four as well as universities with courses in development economics. International business should also find this book an invaluable resource