VietNamNet Bridge - According to the 2012 corruption perception index (CPI) released by the Transparency International (TI), Vietnam ranks 123 out of 176 countries and territories, dropping by 11 grades from last year.




More than two-thirds of the countries were surveyed as "very corrupt." Only 53 of 176 countries surveyed attained a "passing grade" of 50 out of 100 in the annual corruption report.

Two typical trios book ended the index, with Denmark, Finland, and New Zealand all tied on 90 at the top. Somalia, North Korea and Afghanistan shared the ignominious end of IT's table, scoring just eight.

The world's largest economy, the US, could only manage a score of 73 - 19th in the standings, between the UK and Chile.

Vietnam, Laos and China have significantly downgraded in the rankings this year. Vietnam ranks 123 out of 176 countries and territories compared to 112th last year. TI's 2011 rankings included 180 countries and territories.

According to TI, the Vietnamese economy has many uncertainties in the context of a series of scandals associated with state-owned groups and the inefficient management of state-owned enterprises, making investors worry. The Vietnamese government has recently increased efforts to combat corruption, arrested some bankers and businessmen.

“After a year of focus on corruption, we expect governments to take a tougher stance against the abuse of power. The Corruption Perceptions Index 2012 results demonstrate that societies continue to pay the high cost of corruption,” said Huguette Labelle, the Chair of Transparency International.

Thai An