New economic zone gets go-ahead
The Government has approved plans to establish an economic zone in central Quang Binh Province that covers six coastal communes in the province's Quang Trach District.
The 10,000ha zone will include 1,100ha of island area. It will function in several sectors including sea ports, trade, tourism, and seafood production and processing. It will also serve as the economic centre of the coastal central province.
Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Viet Nam Economic Times)
Central Highlands highway upgraded
The Ministry of Transport has announced a project to upgrade the National Highway 20 that runs between the southern province of Dong Nai and Lam Dong Province in the Central Highlands. The road serves as the main transportation route for bauxite taken from the Central Highlands to the coast.
Upgrading the 109.55km highway will cost VND4.5 billion ($215,000), which will be taken from the ministry's annual budget. Work is expected to be completed in 2014, allowing traffic speeds of 60-80km per hour.
Dau Tu (Viet Nam Investment Review)
Brain-eating amoeba claims second victim
The Ministry of Health on Tuesday affirmed the second death caused by the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria Fowleri, in the country.
The ministry's Preventive Health Department said it has concluded that the amoeba was responsible for the death of a six-year-old child in HCM City last week.
Preventive health departments in all localities have been asked to closely monitor the situation.
The first death was recorded in August. A man from the central province of Phu Yen died in HCM City after going on a diving expedition for oysters in his hometown.
Lao Dong (Labour)