BANGKOK -- Vietnam is still a communist country, but it is fast becoming one of the world's hottest markets for companies that are synonymous with aggressive capitalism: private equity firms.
The appeal for Western private equity firms -- known for their appetite for risk and debt-fueled buyouts -- is clear. Vietnam's economy is growing fast, its stock market has been performing well and the government has rolled out plans to privatize many state-owned enterprises. These are ideal conditions for private equity giants such as Warburg Pincus, KKR and TPG, which have been pumping money into Vietnam as opportunities shrink at home.
