Võ Văn Kiệt

Võ Văn Kiệt (actually Phan Văn Hòa, born November 23, 1922 in Trung Hiệp, Vung Liem District, Vinh Long Province, South Vietnam, † June 11, 2008 in Singapore) was a Vietnamese politician.

Võ Văn Kiệt fought as a member of the Viet Cong since the age of 16 against the French colonial power and later against the American occupation troops in Vietnam. His first wife and four ( according to other sources two) of their children were in the war died.

Of 8 August 1991 until his resignation on 25 September 1997 was Võ Văn Kiệt Prime Minister of Vietnam. He was one of the driving forces of Đổi - mới - economic reform, which replaced the planned economy system in the late 1980s and 1990s. He supported the privatization of a large part of state industry, called for clearer laws and an end to special privileges for army and party leaders.

During his tenure, the rapprochement with the former nemesis USA falls. In 1994, the two countries established diplomatic relations again. Two months after his resignation as Prime Minister, he also left the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam.