Coastal economic zones have developed strength in numbers, but failed to pull their weight. They are characterized by sluggish development, low occupancy rates, modest investments and very small contribution to the state budget. “The investment policy has not had a focus. Thus, coastal economic zones have not yet taken full advantage of their geographical position and natural resources to develop well,” says Nguyen Quang Thai, vice chairman of the Vietnam Association of Economic Science.

Up to 1,000 women die every day as a result of pregnancy-related complications globally, and 5,500 newborns die in the first week of life because of a lack of adequate medical care Twenty five years ago, Chamale Thi Cuc was born in a forest, where her mother was assisted by a traditional birth attendant. “At that time, there was no commune health station,” said the Raglai woman from the south-central Ninh Thuan Province’s Ma Du [...]

The first International Tea Festival will be held in the northern province of Thai Nguyen from November 11 to 15, organizers announced at a press conference Wednesday. The festival will feature a seminar on Vietnamese tea integrating into the international market, a parade, a tea culture festival, a cuisine and specialty market and other artistic activities. A new national record, the biggest tea pot in Vietnam, will be displayed at the festival.A tea night of [...]

Thach Kim Tuan, Vietnam’s medal hope in the men’s 56kg category, was disqualified at the World Weightlifting Championships Paris 2011 on Saturday. In the snatch, the 17-year-old Tuan lifted 125kg but failed to snatch 129kg; and in the clean and jerk, he failed to lift 149kg in his first attempt and then failed again at his attempt of 151kg.