The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) will keep a firm grip on power in the forecast period, and, despite signs of factional splits between conservative hardliners and reformers, there is no prospect of any major internal instability.Given the generally high level of political apathy, together with the regime's determination to crack down hard on pro-democracy activists, the likelihood that Vietnam will suffer an upheaval similar to that currently occurring in the Arab world is low. Economic policymakers have embarked on a tightening programme, but concerns persist over whether the political will exists to implement the tougher measures that may be needed to stabilise the economy.