Son My massacre commemorated in Quang Ngai; Ministry greenlights new bird flu plan; PTE Academic English test introduced in Vietnam; Traditional hospitals to be upgraded; Development partners commit to landmine clearance

 Forest fire in Ca Mau at alarming level; Spread of bird flu brought under control; Hanoi hopes for Bangkok’s tourism support; Hanoi keeps human diseases under control; Prime Minister instructs no heavy interest rate to fishermen

The Asian Development Bank will provide a strategic link between Myanmar government and non- governmental organizations in expanding HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention services, using funds from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction,

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 100 million USD aid package to support the development of tourism infrastructure in the three Mekong River countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

The scale of the bond market in Vietnam reached nearly $25 billion, down in the third quarter of 2013, but still obtained the highest growth in the region in comparison with the same period last year, according to the ADB.

 Taiwan firms explore distribution opportunities in Vietnam; Rubber exports to fetch 4.5 billion USD this year; Thanh Hoa calls for more investment; Vietnam helps Laos develop coffee

VietNamNet Bridge – The Asian Development Bank has maintained its 5.2% GDP growth forecast for Vietnam in 2013 and said gradual progress in settling non-performing loans will prompt its economy to grow by 5.5% in 2014.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has said that the Government of Vietnam will direct relevant ministries, agencies and localities to speed up the implementation and disbursement of Official Development Assistance funded projects