Vietnam revs up economy to race ahead of rivals.

Byline: S. Kamal Hayder Kazmi

Vietnam's success in curbing the coronavirus so far, while its Southeast Asia neighbors struggle, is helping the country power ahead in economic growth and attracting funds, foreign investors, experts and analysts say.

Its strength in containing the pandemic saw it build on the foundations of two free trade agreements signed in 2020, also outpacing peers in luring manufacturers moving production out of China because of the Beijing-Washington trade war.

Vietnam was one of the world's few countries to record growth last year - well down on 2019, but still a 2.9 percent expansion.

Vietnam watchers expect the country to ride high as long as it keeps the virus- resurgent in many countries - at bay. Thanks to...