MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

FOREIGN TRADE UNIVERSITY

Address: 91 Chua Lang Street, Dong Da District, Hanoi, VIETNAM
Website: http://en.ftu.edu.vn/

COURSES DESCRIPTION
Faculty:
Major:
Name:

Economics and International Business

External Economics
Le Thi Thuy Linh

SUBJECTS

CREDITS

Semester 1
1 Scientific Research Methodology

Provides basic knowledge, mainly from theoretical aspect, relating to

concepts, targets and research techniques in natural and social
sciences, especially in linguistics and foreign language teaching
methodology; research tools and techniques, the phases of each
research method as well as forming and developing students ability to
understand, analyze and assess a particular research project.

2 Calculus 1

Brief review of polynomials, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic

functions, followed by discussion of limits, derivatives, and applications
of differential calculus to real-world problem areas. An introduction to
integration concludes the course.

3 Political Economics 1

Study of production, the acts of buying and selling, and their

relationships to laws, customs and government: Production- CapitalTransport- Exchange- Consumption- Disposal. General paradigms of
political economy: paradigm of distribution- paradigm of production.

4 Computer skills

Provides basic knowledge of applied informatics. Includes five main

parts: 1/ Basic issues on informatics and computers. 2/ MS DOS and
WINDOWS operating systems. 3/ Word processing. 4/ How to use Excel.
5/ How to use basic services offered by the Internet.

5 Philosophy of Marxism & Leninism 1

Provides fundamental understanding of dialectical materialism and

moving principles of the world.

6 English, Term 1
Grammar, vocabulary and conversations in business situations.

Semester 2
1 Calculus 2

More in-depth knowledge of calculus 1.

2 Fundamentals of Law

Introduces definitions and the most fundamental general categories of

State and Law under management science point of view. It analyses:
The State organizational structure; the role, jurisdiction and legal
positions of State organs. It also looks at legal characteristic and
structure of legal documents; some basic contents of Administrative Law,
Civil Law and Criminal Law.

3 Microeconomics 1

Gives out basic concepts in market economy, the behaviors and

reactions of business firms and consumers in a variety of market
environments, emphasizing their strategies for optimization.

4 Political Economics 2

More in-depth knowledge of Political economics 1.

5 Philosophy of Marxism & Leninism 2

Introduces core principles, categories and laws and their application in

Vietnams development.

6 English, term 2

Grammar, vocabulary and conversations in business situations.

7 Scientific Socialism

Introduces the society model of scientific socialism and its significance in

the development history of Vietnam.

Semester 3
1 Macroeconomics 1

Introduces the fundamentals of Macroeconomics I, to make clear firstly

the terms, and then basic macroeconomics models in order to help
students to understand the overall economic activity. The basic
fundamentals of GDP accounting, factors determining output, inflation,
unemployment, interest, exchange rate together with preliminary
fundamentals of macroeconomic policies will also be introduced to
students.

2 Microeconomics 2
Gives out advanced knowledge in market economy, the behaviors
and reactions of business firms and consumers in a variety of
market environments, emphasizing their strategies for optimization.

3 History of Economic Theories

Provides the history of economic thoughts, including pre Classical,

Classical, Socialist, Historicist, Institutionalism, and Neo-Classical

Thought, the work of Keynes, Keynesian thought, and recent

developments in economic thought. Discussions are emphasized on the
contributions of A.Smith thought, Keynes as well as the basic
understanding of the benefits of studying history of economic thought. By
understanding the development of economic thought from classical
period to the present time, students can improve application of logical
and theoretical abilities to fit the condition in Vietnam.

4 Logics

Introduces principles of reasoning and their application in philosophy,

Mathematics and other scientific disciplines.

5 English, term 3

Practical English in business-related situations.

6 Theory of Probability and Statistics

Comprises of two parts, whose structures are relatively separated but

contents closely connected. (1)The Probability theory section introduces
the law of random phenomena and (2) The Statistics section covers the
theoretical foundation of modeling experiments, a popular method used
in conducting survey of economic and social data; the approximation and
statistical test of hypothesis in studying factual issues in general and
economic issues in particular.

Semester 4
1 Econometrics

Introduction to econometric methods needed for empirical analysis in

economics and other related disciplines. Demonstrates problems
involved in the empirical measurement of economic relationships and
techniques used to solve these problems. Equips students with the
application of quantitive analysis tools in some economic and business
management issues by using professional software and Vietnams
database.

2 English, term 4

Practical English in business-related situations.

3 History of Vietnamese Communist Party

Brief overview of Vietnamese Communist Party and its establishment

and development history as well as its role in leading Vietnamese
revolution.

4 International Economics Relations

Supplies core concepts, basic knowledge about integration,

characteristics and principles of foreign affairs in terms of international
economic relationship.

5 Hochiminh's Ideology
Introduces core knowledge of Hochiminhs ideology about socialism,
communism, communist party, nation, religion, etc.

6 Macroeconomics 2

Introduces macroeconomic models and theories in order to help students

with knowledge and skills to analyze macroeconomic policies and
issues. Moreover, students can apply theory to explain practical issues
of Vietnam.

7 Fundamentals of Money and Finance

Presents the nature and function of money and credit, the process of
money creation, the monetary and banking institutions and system. It
also introduces students to monetary theory and policy.

Semester 5
1 International Trade Policy

Introduces definition, principles of international trade policy, its popular

measures and their nature as well as application trend. Some lessons of
trade policy reform from some countries and international organizations
are included. Also covers Vietnams current international trade policy
system and assesses its compliance with regulations of international
economic institutions that Vietnam has already been or will be a
member.

2 Environment Economics

Enables students to understand the linkages between economic

activities and the environment and vice versa. It discusses the theories
and the tools that can be used to understand and measure said
relationships so that appropriate decisions on how best to manage the
environment can be identified.

3 Development Economics

Provides: Principles and concepts of economic development, the nature

of economic growth; economic development issues facing developing
countries; economic structural transfer, relation between economic
growth and social welfare; the economics of growth: labour, capital and
technology; economic development policies; rural areas and agricultural
development policies; industrial, financial and external economics
policies. Also looks at the way Vietnam has applied those theories in its
economic development policy-making.

4 Statistics for Business and Economics

Introduces methods of conducting statistical surveys, including collecting

primary information about economic and social phenomena and
processing collected data. It also provides economic- social analysis
methods used to forecast future phenomena.

5 Transportation and Insurance in Foreign Trade

Provides fundamental knowledge of international transportation and
forwarding management; means of transportation and forwarding used in
foreign trade activities; different types of transportation contracts;
insurance in international transportation.

6 English, term 5

Practical English in social and business-related situations.

Semester 6
1 Foreign Investment

Provides theoretical and practical knowledge of international investment

including Theories; Factors affecting activities; Movement Trends of
International Capital Flows; National, Regional and International
adjustment policies; Foreign Capital invested projects (especially basic
principles relating to outlining and verifying projects).

2 International Business Transactions

Provides practical knowledge of doing international business including

contract negotiation and execution, import- export business plan,
professional skills on preparing export- import documents.

3 International Marketing

Provides basic theoretical and practical international marketing

knowledge such as market segmentation and target market, different
marketing strategies when it comes to licensing, joint- ventures, market
research methods to best satisfy customer needs and to optimize profits.

4 International Payment

Provides deep knowledge of terms of payment relating to import- export

transactions. Main content of the subject: foreign exchange rate and
stock market, balance of payment, popular payment methods and tools,
credits and commercial sponsorship looked from export- import
businesses point of view.

5 Insurance in Foreign Trade Activities

Introduces terms and conditions of insurance and their application in

foreign trade activities.

6 Public Economics

Examines the nature and influence of public sector in connection with

private sector, the problems and failure of private sector as the
foundation for Governments interference methods. It assesses
Government policies such as public expenditure policy, tax policy with
particular emphasis on their economic results and social equality. The
objective of this course is to develop students' ability in analyzing and
formulating public economic problems and policies.

7 English, term 6

English for economists and practical English in business-related

situations.

8 Mid-term internship report

Presents practical knowledge and skills gained throughout the
internship period.

Semester 7
1 Stock Market

Concerns with principles and operating mechanism of security market,

how to make a portfolio investment, emphasizing on methods of defining
optimal portfolio investment and active portfolio investment
management. Looks at securities that create stable income and
securities analysis methods.
Instructor: Nguyen Hoang Linh
Textbooks:
Basic knowledge of securities and security
Securities Commission of Vietnam, 2009.
Investments, 7th edition, Bodie, Kane & Marcus.

market,

State

2 Principles of Accounting and Corporate Accounting

Covers fundamental issues of accounting: definitions, nature, subjects,

goals, role and requirements of accounting; accounting methods,
accounting data collection and records, accounting procedures of main
operating process, accounting forms, content and patterns of accounting
activities.
Instructor: Tran Thi Kim Anh
Textbook: Principles of accounting, Doan Xuan Tien, 2009.

3 Laws Applied in Foreign Economic Activities

Introduces key issues of international business law: relationship between

individuals and organizations from different countries in international
business; the development of international business law; the relation
between international business law and international commercial law;
the relation between international business law and local business law,
especially in Vietnam business law. It also concerns with company law,
contract law and contract dispute settlement methods.
Instructor: Nguyen Minh Hang
Textbook: International Business Law, Nguyen Thi Mo, 2010.

4 E-commerce

Provides the knowledge and skills of electronic commerce, status of

electronic commerce in the world and Vietnam, successful electronic
business models. Transaction processes in B2B, B2C electronic
commerce, online auction, online bidding, e-marketplace transactions, epayment process. Practice to build electronic commerce B2B website,
security for electronic commerce website and transactions. Basic
knowledge of e-contract and laws regulating e-commerce.
Instructor: Nguyen Hong Quan
Textbook: Electronic Commerce, 4th edition, Gary P.Schneider.

5 Diplomatic Protocol

Provides knowledge and skills needed for diplomatic activities, including:

Principles of communication and social relations; Diplomatic Protocol
and Consul Business.
Instructor: Nguyen Van Nhu
Textbook: Professional skills in diplomacy, Vietnamese Academy of
Diplomacy.

6 Customs Practices

Provides professional and practical knowledge of customs in general

and Vietnamese customs in particular: customs procedure, good
classification, customs values and customs taxes.
Instructor: Phan Thu Hien
Textbooks:
Slides of Customs Practices, compiled by Phan Thu Hien.
Relevant issued legal documents.

7 Taxation and Tax System of Vietnam

Provides basic knowledge of taxes and tax system: concepts, elements

of taxes, taxation principles and in-depth understanding of five main
taxes: value added tax, excise tax, personal income tax, corporate
income tax, import export tax. Equips students with methods and skills
to solve tax situations, tax calculation and declaration.
Instructor: Nguyen Thu Hang
Textbooks:
Taxes and tax system in Vietnam, Bui Xuan Luu, 2009.
Tax situations and tax exercises, Nguyen Huu Khai, 2010.

8 English, term 7

English for economists and practical English in business-related

situations.

Semester 8
Graduation Thesis
Supervisor: Tu Thuy Anh
Title: Determinants of FDI in Vietnam: A province-level analysis

15