Promoting the rapid and sustainable development of ethnic minority groups and mountainous areas is the consistent policy of the Party, State and Government of Việt Nam in the cause of socio-economic development.

With population growth, increasing demand for water and negative impacts of climate change, Việt Nam has been facing major challenges in ensuring water security.

The central city of Đà Nẵng has put into operation its first cardiovascular centre after three years of construction, offering services and treatment for patients from the city as well as the central and Central Highlands provinces.

Launched in June 2012, the soldiers serve food daily to 14 to 16 students from local Trần Phú Primary School, Nguyễn Trãi Secondary School and Nguyễn Trường Tộ High School.

The Việt Nam National University HCM City will continue to allocate funds for key scientific and technological activities this year.

Farmers in Bình Phước Province, the country’s largest cashew producer, are facing unfavourable weather and the possibility of a poor harvest during the current blooming season.

Public district-level hospitals in HCM City are opening their own clinics in wards and communes to reduce overcrowding and to serve patients who do not live near their hospitals.

Tropical storm Pabuk, the first to hit the East Sea (South China Sea) this year, is heading toward the Gulf of Thailand but is still expected to cause heavy rains in southern Việt Nam.

Police in the northern province of Bắc Ninh have cracked down on a loan shark ring following a two-month investigation, said Nguyễn Văn Long, director of the province’s police force.