Quách Tấn Có

His Excellency Quách Tấn Có MRNM HNB HBLRC KGCQ
Quách Tấn Có in 1985, photographed by fashion magazine Cosmopolis
14th Prime Minister of Quenmin
In office 23 September 1980 – 14 October 1990
Monarch	Lành Chinh
Deputy	Đỗ Kiên Cường
Preceded by	Lý Thái Duy
Succeeded by	Chu Thuận Thành
Minister of Economic Oversight, Planning, and Investment
In office 28 June 1975 – 12 September 1980
Monarch	Lành Chinh
Prime Minister	Lý Thái Duy
Deputy	Giang Ðinh Lộc
First Secretary of the People's Democratic Party
In office 13 February 1970 – 16 June 1975
Preceded by	Vưu Minh Hiếu
Succeeded by	Hoàng Quảng Ðạt
Personal details
Born	(1936-02-15) 15 February 1936 Hai An, Nảy Thịt Province, Quenmin
Political party	People's Democratic Party
Other political affiliations	Civic League
Spouse	Bùi Minh Tuyết
Children	Phước Lập Nhã Lâm
Relatives	Quách Tấn Vũ (brother)
Alma mater	Nảy Thịt University (BA)
Occupation	Politician manager author
Cabinet	Quách Tấn Có cabinet
Awards	See below

Quách Tấn Có MRNM HNB HBLRC KGCQ (15 February 1944), popularly recognized as Dandy Quách (Bảnh bao Quách), was the 14th Prime Minister of Quenmin from 23 September 1980 to 14 October 1991. Previously, he served as Minister of Economic Oversight, Planning, and Investment for Lý Thái Duy's government from 1975 to 1980, and First Secretary of the People's Democratic Party. His famous moniker was derived from his flamboyant personality and frequent stylish clothing, making him both idiosyncratic and unique among his peers.

Có was born in 1936 to a working-class family residing in Hai An. After graduating from Nảy Thịt University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration in 1957, he moved to Haigia to work for a medium-sized business. He officially became a member of the People's Democratic Party due to a long-residing inspiration from the political scene under Nguyễn Công Thịnh Bảo to immerse himself in politics. Subsequently, after leaving his career in business, he became First Secretary of the political party, and was a vocal exponent for the national opposition movement against Đỗ Kim Ngữ's govnerment. Then in 1975, as a consequence of Lý Thái Duy elected as Prime Minister, Có was appointed Minister of Economic Oversight, Planning, and Investment, and served for five years. In 1980, Có was nominated by his party for Prime Minister, and was elected on 13 September following the 1980 general election.

Officially taking power on 23 September, Có instituted economic reforms and political initiatives that reversed several aspects of his predecessor's economic policy. His economic stratagem "Quaconomics" advocated for tax reduction, free trade, and a moderate increase in government regulation. Throughout his tenure, his economic policy oversaw a substantial decrease in inflation from 11.4% to 3.7% and an annual growth of 4.4% in real GDP. His first term observed not only economic growth, but included the bolstering of the information technology industry, the establishment of Quenmin's national space program and the launch of Sentrang 1, and an increase of civil rights among ethnicities. His second term would be influenced by foreign policy, with Quenmin playing an increased role in the regional stage. These would include the intervention in the Knichian Civil War and the participation in the crackdown of the neoliberal conspiracy.

After leaving office on 14 October 1990, Có held an 84% approval rating, matching that of Lê Tấn Nguyên in later years. From the amalgam of his personality and his pragmatic leadership, Có's public image remains positively high. This lead to historians marking his tenure the "Quách Tấn Có Era." Moreover, despite a minor recession in 1987, the unprecedented economic prosperity his policies wrought instilled a profound impact on the general public, which gave rise to the term Niềm hạnh phúc ("euphoria") that defined the Quenminese 80s. Evaluations by historians and the general public place him as one of the greatest prime ministers of the nation, and his liberal peers regard him as an icon.

Prime Minister

First term (1980 – 1985)

National space program

Main articles: NACOSDIR and Sentrang 1

Second term (1985 – 1990)

1987 Recession

Main article: 1987 Flash Crash

Knichian Civil War

Main article: FedCom Civil War

Neoliberal conspiracy

Main articles: Neoliberal conspiracy, Migitation Against Neoliberalism Act, and 1990 Quan Mach Financial Misdemeanors Trial

Honors and awards

National honors

• Yellow Kim Khanh of the Ancient, Most Exalted, and Most Auspicious Order of the Pentacolored Dragon
• Knight of the Ancient and Most Respected Order of the Five Urns
• Knight Grand Bai of the Most Exalted and Honourable Order of the Blue Tortoise and a Thousand Scrolls
• Knight Grand Cross of the Most Admirable Order of the Royal and Imperial Crown of Quenmin