Vietnam economy runs on loans: economistVietNamNet Bridge - Tran Du Lich, a respected economist, said at a recent annual workshop on the economy that there are two risks for Vietnam – the middle-income trap, and the risk of growing older (working-age population) before becoming rich. Mr Tran Du LichIn order to avoid the risks, the country will have to gain high and stable economic growth rates over the next several decades. He said that economic growth will depend on inner strength. In order to force the lending interest rates down and expand lending, it is necessary to increase the rediscount, intensify lending activities and control inflation. However, it would still be good if the interest rate stays at the 2017 level,” he said.