This book offers a comparative analysis of how Special Economic Zones (SEZs) shaped the early trajectories of market transition and development in China, Russia, and Vietnam. It investigates how variations in institutional capacity, governance structures, and state-market relations conditioned the ability of SEZs to serve as catalysts for reform and engines of growth. Conceived as experimental arenas within broader transformation processes, SEZs showcase both the possibilities and limitations inherent in systemic change—succeeding where coherent institutions, adaptive governance, and investment converged, and faltering where these foundations were weak or absent. By discussing these experiences, the book draws broader lessons for contemporary emerging economies navigating the challenges of structural transformation and offers analytical insights on institutional dynamics underpinning sustainable development and deeper economic integration.