From the Unit Introduction: Understanding Vietnam in the 21st Century: Political, Economic, and Security Issues in the Asia/Pacific Region seeks to introduce students to policy options for U.S. and Japanese relations with Vietnam at the turn of the century. By identifying and examining these options during Vietnam's growing liberalization and integration into the world community, students will gain an awareness of U.S., Japanese, and Vietnamese perspectives on political, economic, and security issues. Lesson 1 of the unit sets the historical context for the study of contemporary U.S. and Japanese relations with Vietnam. The lesson focuses on the plight of refugees from Vietnam and their experiences in the Unites States and Japan. Lesson 2 focuses on Vietnam's politics in transition. Since South and North Vietnam were officially unified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976, Vietnam's political situation has been in a state of transition. How the communist party-state can liberalize its economic system without weakening the dictatorship of the Party is a central question facing the government of Vietnam. In this lesson, students will be introduced to this transition through a series of small group activities. Lesson 3 examines Vietnam's economy in transition. This lesson introduces students to some challenges, obstacles, and achievements of Vietnam's economy in transition. Vietnam's reform policy of doimoi (intended to reduce the role of the state in the economy, respect the market, favor private enterprise, and welcome global traders and investors) is examined through a simulation. Lesson 4 introduces students to issues related to U.S. policy toward Vietnam, with a focus on normalization. On July 11, 1995, President Clinton announced his intention to establish full diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Issues (e.g., MIA/POW, trade, human rights, security) affecting these diplomatic relations are explored. Lesson 5 introduces students to issues related to Japan-Vietnamese relations, with a focus on foreign aid. Japanese foreign aid to Vietnam serves as a case study. Students learn about Vietnams' position on Japan's official development aid and the priority areas of Japan's official development aid, as well as analyze projects in Vietnam funded with Japanese aid. Finally, lesson 6 examines important future areas of cooperation and competition in U.S. and Japanese relations with Vietnam, specifically related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Vietnam is ASEAN's seventh and newest member. This lesson introduces students to U.S. and Japanese perspectives on Vietnam's entry and role in ASEAN.--page 2.