The global recession has hurt Vietnam's export-oriented economy however the government recently upgraded its real GDP growth forecast for 2010 to 6.7% (Economist Intelligence Unit, 2010). The countries exports make up 90% of its GDP. The country recorded inflation of 7.5% in 2006, which went up to 8.1% in 2007. However, consumer price inflation reached a huge 23.1% in 2008 (due to an increase in prices of foodstuffs). Inflation continues to be a problem although it is predicted to fall to 10.9% in 2010 (US Department of State, 2010).