Train stations: the beating heart of a city

Grand train stations, often built in the elegant Beaux Arts architectural style, are a common feature of city centres in most capitals of the world.  It may seem surprising that these vestiges of the first industrial revolution are still in operation.  In fact, many are bustling with activity!  And there are good economic reasons for this.

World Bank reports on digital growth

While the Internet, mobile phones and other digital technologies are spreading rapidly throughout the developing world, the anticipated digital dividends of higher growth, more jobs, and better public services have fallen short of expectation.

Gender equality improves in East Asia Pacific region Progress has been made in narrowing gender gaps in the East Asia Pacific region, including in Viet Nam, but disparities remain in many areas, according to a new report from the World Bank.

Closing gender gap will boost growth: World Bank Women in the developing world have made strides in education, but still lag far behind men in opportunities, a gender gap that is hampering growth, the World Bank said in a report on Sunday.

Help to tackle climate change Climate change was now one of the most important development priorities for the World Bank in Viet Nam, the Bank's Environment Sector Co-ordinator Douglas J Graham said yesterday.

Agriculture fights hunger: World Bank report The World Bank's World Development Report 2008 highlights the role of agriculture in reducing poverty as its principal theme for the first time in 24 years.

Urgent need to invest in youth: World Development Report Developing countries which invest in better education, healthcare, and job training for young people could produce surging economic growth and sharply reduce poverty, according to a new World Bank report launched yesterday in Ha Noi.

Nation eliminating inequality: WB Viet Nam is on the right track to progress, eliminating inequality and promoting equity, according to the 2006 World Development Report of the World Bank, released in Ha Noi on Wednesday.