Social development
Vietnam's declining birthrate spells end of two-child policy
Move may make little difference as rising expenses hinder bigger families. The Vietnamese government is reversing its decadeslong policy in a bid to counter the country’s aging population. Earlier this month the country’s health ministry began showing a negative view toward its de facto two-child ...
Yangon’s extreme poverty needs action: report
In a one-room hut in north Yangon, a middle-aged woman has a trick for those evenings when the children complain of hunger and she has run out of money and rice. “I ask them to drink extra water and go to bed,” said mother-of-seven Daw ...
Myanmar voices commitment to social development In Naga self-administered zone
Myanmar government has voiced commitment to the social development of the ethnic people in Naga Self-Administered Zone, northwestern Sagaing region, Myanmar News Agency reported Monday, according to China’s Xinhua news agency. President U Htin Kyaw made the pledge Sunday in his speech at the opening of ...
Residents push gov’t on OCIC project
Prek Liep community members involved in a land dispute with the Overseas Cambodia Investment Company held a religious protest and press conference outside the Cambodian People’s Party offices in the commune on January 14. During the ceremony, members prayed for the protection of their land ...
Vientiane residents irked over proposed road fund
A large number of Vientiane residents are concerned about a proposed road fund to which they would be required to contribute, the Vientiane People’s Council heard on Friday. Addressing other members of the Council, Mr Prachit Xayavong said We admit there are concerns about the ...
Increase in drug-resistant TB in southwest
An increase in the number of resistant-TB cases has occurred in the southwestern region of Việt Nam, according to the head of the region’s national TB prevention and control office. At a conference on TB prevention held last week in Cần Thơ, Dr Nguyễn Thị ...
Govt launches '20-year strategic education plan'
The Education Ministry is launching the “20-year Strategic Education Plan” as it works towards its vision to revamp the education system and bring educational standards on a par with those of developed countries. The plan will be in line with the government’s 20-year national strategy, which ...
US builds blood centre for southern provinces
The US Embassy to Laos has built a blood centre in Champassak province as one of several major infrastructure assistance projects completed last year, at a total cost of over US$850,000. The new blood centre will provide emergency blood services to people in the southern ...
On the front lines of malaria elimination
Rural health centres throughout the country are leading the fight against the scourge of drug-resistant malaria. Can international organizations, local health officials and the government unite before the parasite spreads? Amid the sugar cane plantations and rice paddies of Kampong Speu, the Oral district health ...
Maternity leave: How Vietnam compares to neighbors
The ILO believes Vietnam has fairly progressive policies to protect working mothers. Vietnamese female workers are offered up to 26 weeks maternity leave, above the average level of 12-13 weeks seen in Southeast Asia, according to the International Labor Organization. Vietnam has a system of ...
