30.12.11 Vietnam Focus December issue: Table of contents

SPOTLIGHT

  • Reform of state-owned enterprises: Getting a grip on toxic loans; Let the restructuring begin
  • What is doi moi?

POLITICS & SOCIETY

  • Turbulence in the blogosphere: Hoang had written numerous blog posts calling for transparency and democracy in Vietnam
  • What is Viet Tan? These days non-violent struggle is central to the organisation's message
  • Religious repression: Vietnam and the Vatican have been repairing relations for some time
  • Bomb removal project: The plan would clear 14 provinces
  • Agent Orange clean-up: The Vietnamese government alleges that 3 million people have been affected by Agent Orange
  • Hand, foot, and mouth outbreak
  • Moto racers netted: The World Health Organization believes that the number is in fact higher

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

  • Chinese VP visits Vietnam: South China Sea issues were referred to only in the oblique legalese used to diffuse drama
  • Getting friendly with Cambodia: Vietnam's state news was full of the usual superlatives without substance
  • Thai PM in Vietnam: Vietnam and Thailand established relations on 6th August 1976

ECONOMY & ENERGY

  • Trade deficit may rise: Hoang said that Vietnam may need to increase gold imports
  • PetroVietnam tops in size: Vietnam's top 500 firms
  • Property prices continue slump: This is part of a wider trend and five other major cities
  • Overseas remittances at all-time high: Vietnam has a large Diaspora
  • Risky future for EVN: The company posted losses of $1.12 to $1.19 billion last year alone
  • Vinashin sued by US hedge fund
  • HSBC predicts trouble ahead: Vietnam still relies heavily on foreign trade

GREATER MEKONG

  • Species in, species out: Many species may become extinct before they can be studied
  • Khmer Rouge trials: It's estimated that a quarter of the population – some 2 million people – died from execution
  • Mekong joint patrols: The launch of these joint patrols is part of a plan to increase security
  • Laos dam stoppered – for now?
  • Opium production up: The country has recommended a 10-year delay for Mekong power projects.